BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 380
Page 1
Date of Hearing: June 28, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION
Mary Hayashi, Chair
SB 380 (Wright) - As Amended: June 20, 2011
SENATE VOTE : 38-0
SUBJECT : Continuing medical education.
SUMMARY : Requires the Medical Board of California (MBC) to
periodically disseminate information and educational materials
to physicians and surgeons and general acute care hospitals on
the prevention and treatment of chronic disease by the
application of nutrition and lifestyle behavior. Specifically,
this bill :
1)Authorizes the MBC to set content standards for any
educational activity concerning a chronic disease that
includes appropriate information on prevention of chronic
disease and on treatment of patients with the chronic disease,
by the application of changes in nutrition and lifestyle
behavior.
2)Requires the MBC to periodically disseminate information and
educational material regarding the prevention and treatment of
chronic disease by the application of changes in nutrition and
lifestyle behavior to each licensed physician and surgeon and
to each general acute care hospital in the state.
3)Requires the MBC to convene a working group of interested
parties to discuss nutrition and lifestyle behavior for the
prevention and treatment of chronic disease at one of its
quarterly meetings within three years.
4)Makes legislative findings and declarations.
EXISTING LAW
1)Establishes the MBC to regulate physicians and surgeons and
requires the physicians and surgeons to fulfill 50 hours of
continuing education every two years, including 12 hours in
the subjects of pain management and the treatment of
terminally ill and dying patients.
SB 380
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2)Requires the MBC to periodically disseminate information and
educational materials regarding detection of spousal or
partner abuse to physician and surgeons and acute care
hospitals.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS :
Purpose of the bill . According to the author's office, "The
vast majority of chronic diseases, including obesity, heart
(coronary) artery disease, and type-2 diabetes, suffered by
Californians are due to a rich Western diet. The World Health
Organization has estimated that if the major risk factors for
chronic disease were eliminated, at least 80% of all heart
disease, stroke, and type-2 diabetes would be prevented, and
more than 40% of cancer cases would be prevented. The President
of the American Medical Association, Cecil Wilson, on February
7, 2011, wrote all of its members on the importance of nutrition
and lifestyle in dealing with chronic diseases and praising the
new federal health law in its focus on wellness and prevention.
"Unfortunately, the well-established effects of diet and life
style changes in the prevention and treatment of diseases is
largely unknown to medical doctors and other related health
professionals."
Background . The United States spends significantly more on
health care than any other nation. In 2006, health care
expenditure was over $7,000 per person, more than twice the
average of 29 other developed countries. Yet the average life
expectancy in the United States is far below many other nations
that spend less on health care each year. As a nation, more
than 75% of health care spending is on people with chronic
conditions.
Chronic conditions include heart disease and stroke, cancer,
diabetes, obesity, and respiratory diseases. In 2005, 133
million Americans had at least one chronic illness and 7 out of
10 deaths each year are from chronic diseases. More than
two-thirds of all adults believe that the U.S. health care
system should place more emphasis on chronic disease preventive
care.
SB 380
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Four modifiable health risks behaviors - lack of physical
activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol
consumption - are responsible for much of the illness,
suffering, and early death related to chronic diseases.
However, most medical students receive fewer than 20 hours of
nutrition instruction during their entire medical school
careers.
Related legislation . SB 747 (Kehoe) requires physicians,
surgeons, and other health practitioners to take at least one
continuing education course that provides instruction on
cultural competency, sensitivity, and best practices for
providing adequate care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender persons on and after January 1, 2013, as specified.
This bill is pending in Assembly Appropriations Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Academy of Preventive Medicine (sponsor)
American College of Lifestyle Medicine
The Center for Science in the Public Interest
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Several individuals
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Marina Wiant / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301