York County Medicine Summer 2019 - 26

YO R K C O M E D S O C . O R G

IN THE NEWS:

Bills on the Hill:

New Health Care Legislation on Credentialing,
Non-Compete Clauses, and More
by Michael D. I. Siget, JD, MPA, PAMED's Legislative & Regulatory Counsel

ith the start of a new legislative
session, numerous bills have been filed
that may affect physicians across the
Commonwealth. In Part I of Bills on the Hill,
we will focus on: immunizations by pharmacists;
continuing education for Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases; informed consent for vaccinations;
credentialing; restrictive covenants not to compete
for employees of purely public charities; and noncompete clauses in physician contracts.
1. Immunizations by Pharmacists
HB 91, introduced by Rep. Seth Grove, and SB 274, introduced
by Sen. Judy Ward, would revise Act 8-2015. Act 8 authorized
pharmacists to administer flu shots to children ages nine and older
with parental consent. Under these bills, pharmacists would be
authorized to administer any immunization shot to children more
than nine years old with parental consent. In addition, these bills
would allow the Pharmacy Board to accept as proof of education
and training standards the immunization credentials or a license of
an individual who, at the time of filing an application, is licensed
as a pharmacist and has immunization credentials or a license, if
applicable, in another state or territory of the United States.
HB 91 was referred to the House Health Committee on Jan. 28,
2019. SB 274 was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and
Professional Licensure Committee on Feb. 7, 2019.
PAMED opposes these bills.

York County Medicine | SUMMER 2019

2. Continuing Education for Lyme Disease and
Other Tick-Borne Diseases
HB 96, introduced by Rep. Rosemary Brown,
would require physicians, physician assistants, and
nurse practitioners to complete at least two hours of
continuing education in the assessment and diagnosis
of, and treatment options for, Lyme disease and other
tick-borne diseases as a portion of the total continuing
education required for license renewal.
The bill would also require the State Boards of Medicine and
Nursing to establish the content of continuing medical education
addressing, at minimum, the most current, evidence-based research
regarding assessment and diagnosis, current diagnostic options, and
current treatment options and prevention. To do this, the boards must
seek input from various resources, including universities involved
in the research of Lyme disease and related tick-borne diseases.
The boards also must take into consideration the philosophies of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the guidelines
established by the National Institutes of Health, International Lyme
and Associated Diseases Society, and the Infectious Diseases Society
of America, as well as the latest scientific evidence and research.
If enacted, HB 91 would sunset on Dec. 31, 2024 unless
renewed by a future act.
HB 96 was referred to the House Professional Licensure
Committee on Jan. 28, 2019.
PAMED opposes this bill.

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York County Medicine Summer 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of York County Medicine Summer 2019