Gov. Quinn Approves Physician Delegation Legislation!
Congratulations! Again!! Governor Quinn approved pro-chiropractic, Illinois Chiropractic Society initiated legislation, Senate Bill 318 (Silverstein/Saviano) last night! The new public act provides and clarifies the right of all physicians licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 (M.D.’s, D.O.’s and D.C.’s) to delegate tasks or duties to licensed or unlicensed personnel when the tasks or duties fall within the scope of practice, as well as education, training, or experience of the delegating physician, and within the context of a physician-patient relationship. In addition, a licensed health care professional must be on site to provide assistance.
Public Act 96-0618 becomes effective January 1, 2010. –http://ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=096-0618&GA=96
Advertisement
During the path to ultimate approval, this legislation experienced a number of setbacks due to the unwarranted and misleading opposition of the American Massage Therapy Association – Illinois Chapter. Currently, there are less than 4000 chiropractic licenses in the State of Illinois. There are already 8000 licensed massage therapists in the state. Many local educational facilities are creating new licensed MT’s every year. How many new licensed chiropractors are created each year? What if this debate had lingered for years instead of being resolved during this session? Would we find ourselves in a numbers game? They have more votes then we can offer – what else can we offer? Financial support of the policymakers that support and understand our issues is the next best thing to being there in person and in large numbers. We need both!
Do you think the licensed massage therapist in your neighborhood (or your office) neglected to donate their “Fair Share” to their profession this year?!
The chiropractic profession has had a banner year at the Illinois Statehouse. Although it is certainly nice to be able to report that a chiropractic physician has been added to the State Board of Public Health (Public Act 96-0455), that the ICS has re-codified your right as physicians to issue “sick notes” for teachers and students (Public Act 96-0367), and that the ICS has re-established parity with allopathic physicians by unrestricting access to patients in Assisted Living facilities (Public Act 96-0353). Without question, the greatest pleasure is being able to report the enactment of physician delegation legislation (now Public Act 96-0618)! Gaining support and passage of legislation that clearly states your right to delegate tasks and duties to licensed and unlicensed personnel in your office has been the hardest fought victory this legislative session – and the most meaningful! How many fewer patients would you be able to provide care for daily without the ability to delegate? What price would you pay to ensure your right to delegate?
Have you donated to ILChiro PAC this year yet? Finally, there is an opportunity to be successful in the legislative arena – Will YOU help us continue the momentum?
Please DONATE NOW to support the legislative efforts that support and protect your profession! Please make checks payable to ILChiro Pac. Donations can be mailed to ILChiro Pac, PO Box 9493 – Springfield, Illinois 62791.
For more information on the three other ICS initiatives signed by Governor Quinn, please see the below articles:
