BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2600
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Date of Hearing: April 20, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION
Mary Hayashi, Chair
AB 2600 (Ma) - As Amended: March 25, 2010
SUBJECT : Medicine: licensing: continuing education
requirements.
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 : Unknown
COMMENTS :
Purpose of this bill . 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.
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."
AB 2600
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Background . 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.
Support . According to the sponsor, the California Hepatitis
Alliance, "Although Hepatitis C is preventable, studies show
that at-risk patients are inadequately vaccinated in settings,
such as primary care clinics and drug treatment programs where
services are available."
Oppose . The Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program "object to
disease specific mandates for continuing medical education.
Physicians are in the best position to know what training will
best serve their practice, their background and their training.
This bill will divert time and resources from other important
training that may be more relevant to the physician and his or
her medical practice."
Previous Legislation . AB 158 (Ma) of 2008 is substantially
similar to AB 2600. This bill was amended to address an
unrelated topic.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
AB 2600
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California Hepatitis Alliance (sponsor)
Opposition
Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program
Analysis Prepared by : Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301