June 5, 2007
Dear Members of Congress:
On behalf of over 800,000 physicians and other healthcare professionals from across the country and the millions of patients they serve, the PARCA Coalition opposes HR 2260 introduced by Congressman John Sullivan (R-OK). A similar bill was introduced in the 109th Congress and our concerns remain the same; sanctions against misleading statements regarding credentials, training, or skills should apply equally to all healthcare professionals, including medical doctors and osteopathic physicians.
The primary concern of the PARCA coalition is to ensure the greatest access to high quality care. In contrast, HR 2260 does a disservice to all consumers by being misleading. Commercial fraud and misrepresentation are already prohibited by laws enforced by the Federal government and the statutes of all 50 States, territories and the District of Columbia. These laws apply to healthcare. It is also already illegal in every state, and enforced by federal and state law authorities, for any person or entity to identify or position themselves as being able to practice any of the professions where a license is required, without holding that license. How healthcare professionals participating in the Medicare program represent themselves is governed by Medicare conditions of participation. Further, healthcare professionals who misrepresent their credentials and licensure put at grave risk their state licensure and their ability to earn a living.
HR 2260 expressly excludes any person who is “a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathic medicine” from the legislation’s prohibitions from and sanctions against making “any deceptive or misleading act….” While we believe these are redundant sanctions against misleading statements, they should apply equally to everyone.
HR 2260 appears to undermine the legitimate education and training of other healthcare professionals and, rather than enlighten the public, would create further confusion among consumers – and would likely limit access to care. Patients benefit by having greater and easier access to a wide range of healthcare services performed by the healthcare professionals educated, trained, and licensed to perform those said services. HR 2260 would have a chilling effect on access to all healthcare professionals.
PARCA agrees that individuals who are not qualified and/or not appropriately licensed to provide healthcare services should not be permitted to serve patients. However, HR 2260 will only create confusion for consumers and may even limit the availability of care.
PARCA urges you to oppose HR 2260.
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