Doctors resisting effort to revamp disciplinary board

Physicians argue including other health professionals a mistake

PIERRE – A revolt among some health care professionals is behind an effort to remake the composition of the board that oversees physicians in South Dakota.

That’s not what the physicians want.

No appetite for scaled back free lunch program

The Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners currently consists of nine members – seven of which are required by law to be filled by doctors. A bill that passed the Senate Monday would increase the number to 17 and include representatives of other health professions – such as physician assistants, athletic trainers and nutritionists – that the board regulates.

The board – which includes a professional staff – is responsible for licensing and disciplining providers who break the law, violate ethical standards or exhibit incompetence. Over the years, more health professions have been added to the board’s purview. While those professions don’t have membership on the board, they do have advisory councils.

State Medical Association gets run down in ambulance reform debate

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