VOLUNTEER LICENSE FOR RETIRED PHYSICIANS

House Bill 4670

Sponsor:  Rep. Gary A. Newell

Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 5-23-05

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4670 AS INTRODUCED 4-26-05

The bill would add a new section to the Public Health Code to create a special volunteer license for retired M.D.s and D.O.s who wish to provide medical care for the indigent and needy or in medically underserved areas of the state on a volunteer basis.  Under the bill, a physician would be considered to be retired from practice if he or she had intended to stop engaging in the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine and surgery for remuneration when the license expired.

The form provided for retired physicians by the Department of Community Health for submission to the appropriate licensing board would have to document a physican's medical degree and practice history; document the physician had previously been licensed to practice medicine in this state or another state and had a license in good standing prior to expiration; and acknowledge and document that payment or compensation, either direct or indirect, would not be expected or received.

The board would have to grant a special volunteer license to an applicant meeting the above requirements and the requirements for licensure under Article 15 of the code.  There would be no fee for an initial special volunteer license or a renewal license.  A physician granted a special volunteer license and accepting the privilege of practicing medicine in the state would be subject to all of the provisions of Article 15, including those governing disciplinary action.

MCL 333.16184

 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky                       

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.