BILL ANALYSIS
SB 606
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 606 (Ducheny)
As Amended June 18, 2009
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :34-1
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 11-0 APPROPRIATIONS 16-0
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Emmerson, |Ayes:|De Leon, Conway, Ammiano, |
| |Conway, Eng, | | |
| |Hernandez, Nava, Niello, | |Charles Calderon, Coto, |
| |John A. Perez, Ruskin, | |Davis, Duvall, Fuentes, |
| |Smyth, Monning | |Hall, Harkey, |
| | | |John A. Perez, Skinner, |
| | | |Solorio, Audra |
| | | |Strickland, Torlakson, |
| | | |Hill |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Osteopathic Medical Board of California
(OMBC) to charge a fee to osteopathic physicians and surgeons
(D.O.s) for the Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan
Repayment Program (STLRP), and allows them to participate in the
STLRP. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the OMBC to charge $25 in addition to the license fee
for the STLRP.
2)Requires the OMBC to transfer all funds collected pursuant to
this bill, on a monthly basis, to the Medically Underserved
Account for Physicians (MUAP) for the STLRP, and prohibits the
funds collected in the MUAP from being used to fund the
Physician Volunteer Program (PVP).
3)Includes D.O.s in the Health Professions Education Foundation
(HPEF), which includes the STLRP and PVP.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes the MUAP within the HPEF to provide funding for
the STLRP, which provides loan repayment assistance to
SB 606
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physicians and surgeons who agree to practice in a medically
underserved community.
2)Establishes the Osteopathic Act of 1922, by voter initiative,
to regulate the practice of osteopathic medicine. Establishes
the OMBC to license, regulate and discipline D.O.s. Specifies
that the policy of the state of California is that holders of
medical doctor (M.D.) degrees and D.O. degrees are to be
accorded equal professional status and privileges as licensed
physicians and surgeons.
3)Establishes a schedule of fees for D.O.s, including fees for
certificates and renewal of license. Requires the OMBC to
assess up to $400 for each applicant for an original or
reciprocity certificates, and up to $400 for a biennial
license fee.
4)Establishes the Medical Board of California (MBC) to license,
regulate, and discipline physicians and surgeons, and
specifies that the protection of the public is the highest
priority of the MBC.
5)Requires the MBC to assess a $25 licensure fee on physicians
and surgeons for the purpose of the STLRP.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, annual increased special fund fee collections from
OMBC licensees to support the loan program of $50,000 to
$70,000.
COMMENTS : The Osteopathic Initiative Act of 1922 created the
OMBC to license and regulate the practice of osteopathic
medicine in California. Existing law accords holders of medical
degrees and osteopathic degrees equal professional status and
privileges. However, according to the OPMC's website, D.O.s are
slightly different from M.D.s in that they put special emphasis
on the role of the bones, muscles and joints in the healthy
functioning of the human body. D.O.s are physicians who may be
certified to specialize in family medicine,
obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine,
and all other medical specialties and subspecialties.
Currently, there are over 5,000 D.O.s licensed and regulated by
the OMBC.
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The STLRP is a grant program for licensed physicians and
surgeons that offers up to $105,000 to repay educational debt in
exchange for a three-year commitment to practice in a medically
underserved area (MUA) of the state.
According to the United States Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA), MUAs and medically underserved
populations are defined by their shortages of primary medical
care, dental or mental health providers. They may be designated
based on geographic (a county or service area) or demographic
(low income, Medicaid-eligible populations, cultural and/or
linguistic access barriers to primary medical care services)
criteria. According to HRSA, there are over 160 MUAs in 47
California counties.
According to information supplied by the author's office,
practice opportunities in underserved communities often provide
less compensation for new doctors than other areas of the state.
Unfortunately, financial considerations make it difficult for
young physicians repaying medical student loans to practice in
these areas. Twenty-five percent of medical students have debt
exceeding $150,000, and many physicians finish their residency
programs with debt of over $350,000.
STLRP recipients work in a variety of underserved areas
throughout the state; eligible practice settings include
community health centers, migrant health centers, and public
housing centers. Current law requires that most participants be
selected from the specialty areas of family practice, internal
medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology, however, up to
20% of the participants may be selected from other specialties.
Recipients must also speak at least one Medi-Cal threshold
language, in addition to English.
Analysis Prepared by : Sarah Huchel / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301
FN: 0002277