The Medical Society of Virginia (MSV) has already been busy in 2023 working hard for physicians and their patients.
2023 General Assembly Session
The MSV had a successful 2023 General Assembly session with many wins for the House of Medicine. After 45 days of committee meetings, legislative debate, lobby days, and budget conversations, the 2023 session adjourned Sine Die at the end of February.
Final Updates on the Issues
Mental Health Question on DHP Applications
Thousands of medical students and practitioners living with mental illness remain silent, untreated, or undiagnosed due to fear of stigma or threat to their medical license.
The MSV drafted Senate Bill 970, introduced by Senator Monty Mason, and House Bill 1573, introduced by Delegate Wendell Walker, to direct the Department of Health Professions to amend its licensure, certification, and registration applications to remove any existing questions pertaining to mental health conditions.
This legislation passed the House and Senate unanimously. The question now reads: “Do you have any reason to believe that you would pose a risk to the safety or well-being of your patients? Are you able to perform the essential functions of a practitioner in your area of practice with or without reasonable accommodation?”
Legal Protections for Threatening a Provider
The MSV worked with Delegate Rob Bell on House Bill 1835 to expand the protections for providers against threats or acts of violence to more care settings. Prior to the MSV’s legislation, the law only protected healthcare workers from threats of violence if they were working in a hospital or emergency room, but did not apply in doctor’s offices, urgent care centers, free clinics, or pharmacies.
The bill passed the House and Senate this session with supportive testimony from the hospital association, nurses, pharmacists, and many physician specialty representatives.
Changing the Practice Structure for Nurse Practitioners
Legislation was introduced to entirely remove the five years of supervised training required before a nurse practitioner may be independently responsible for a patient. This supervision requirement was implemented when autonomous practice was created for NPs in Virginia in 2018 to align the education and training requirements with what physicians receive in residency. Ultimately this legislation was defeated after strong opposition from the physician community and leadership from the MSV.
Mark Your Calendar
2023 Advocacy Summit | Friday, June 16, 2023
The MSV Advocacy Summit is an opportunity for all physicians to propose ideas for MSV’s advocacy efforts, including MSV’s legislative agenda. Learn more at www.MSV.org.
2023 Annual Meeting | Friday, October 13- Sunday, October 15 at the Hilton Norfolk The Main
The MSV Annual Meeting brings together physicians, PAs, and other stakeholders every year to decide policy during the House of Delegates, attend the Physicians Gala, earn CME credits, and more. Registration will open this summer!
Join the MSV and get exclusive member updates!
Members of the MSV get exclusive updates, events, and leadership opportunities. Join today at the MSV website so you don’t miss anything!
