BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2600
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2600 (Ma)
As Amended March 25, 2010
Majority vote
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 9-2 APPROPRIATIONS 12-3
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Conway, Eng, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Conway, Ammiano, |
| |Hernandez | |Coto, Davis, Bonnie |
| |Hill, Ma, Nava, Niello, | |Lowenthal, Hall, Nielsen, |
| |Ruskin | |Skinner, Solorio, |
| | | |Torlakson, Hill |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Emmerson, Smyth |Nays:|Harkey, Miller, Norby |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Medical Board of California (MBC) to
consider including a course in the diagnosis and treatment of
hepatitis in its continuing education (CE) requirements.
EXISTING LAW requires MBC to establish CE requirements for
physicians and surgeons, and requires MBC to consider including
various courses, such as nutrition, child and elder abuse
detection and treatment, and acupuncture, in determining CE
requirements.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee analysis, no direct fiscal impact to MBC to consider
adding hepatitis diagnosis and treatment to educational
curricula for physicians.
COMMENTS : According to the author's office, "Chronic Hepatitis
B affects nearly 280,000 Californians, and chronic Hepatitis C
affects 450,000 Californians. Hepatitis B and C are the leading
cause for liver cancer and liver transplant in California.
Communities of color are disproportionately affected, especially
Asian Pacific Islander, African Americans, and Latinos.
"Although prevention is possible and treatments are available,
many persons at risk for or infected with viral hepatitis are
neither tested nor treated due to the lack of knowledge and
awareness about these diseases among health care providers.
AB 2600
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This insufficient understanding about chronic viral hepatitis
can contribute to continued transmission, missed opportunities
for early diagnosis and medical care, and poor health outcomes
in infected people.
"AB 2600 would require MBC to consider including a CE course in
the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis so physicians can stay
up-to-date on hepatitis, thus improving their ability to
diagnose and treat patients in the at risk population."
Commentary in the June 2008 issue of the journal Hepatology
states that "over the past several years, it has become
increasingly apparent that there are insufficient numbers of
physicians trained in hepatology (general, advanced, or
transplant) to meet the needs that have evolved."
The California Department of Public Health released the
California Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Strategic Plan for
2010-2014. The plan highlights the costly and significant
public health problem of Hepatitis B and C in California and
outlines strategic directions for reducing both Hepatitis B- and
C-related liver disease and death. One of the key highlights
from the plan is educating health care providers.
The Institute of Medicine released the document, Hepatitis and
Liver Cancer: A National Strategy for Prevention and Control of
Hepatitis B and C, calling for more resources to curb the health
threats posed by Hepatits B, and increased knowledge and
awareness about chronic viral hepatitis, improved surveillance
for Hepatitis B and C, and better integration of viral hepatitis
services are needed to remedy this problem.
Analysis Prepared by : Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301
FN: 0004064