BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2600
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 28, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2600 (Ma) - As Amended: March 25, 2010
Policy Committee: Business &
Professions Vote: 9-2
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Medical Board of California to consider
including the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis in continuing
education requirements.
FISCAL EFFECT
No direct fiscal impact to the Medical Board of California to
consider adding hepatitis diagnosis and treatment to educational
curricula for physicians.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . This bill is sponsored by the California Hepatitis
Alliance to increase the likelihood of patients at risk of
hepatitis infection being vaccinated against and educated
about the disease.
2)Background . Under current law, the Medical Board is required
to consider the inclusion of several topics in continuing
education requirements for physicians. These include child
abuse detection, acupuncture, nutrition, elder abuse
detection, substance abuse, and drug-addicted infants.
3)Hepatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the
liver. The disease can be subclinical (without symptoms) or
acute, when it is more serious and persistent. There are
several different types of hepatitis that differ in cause of
infection, pattern of transmission, medical treatment, and
seriousness of disease. Viral hepatitis (A through) E accounts
for 95% of acute hepatitis.
AB 2600
Page 2
According to the author and sponsor, the Institute of Medicine
has recently called for a greater focus on hepatitis awareness
and improved surveillance. By asking the Medical Board to
consider this disease in the continuing education agenda, this
bill may increase awareness among providers and patients.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081