Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), along with colleagues Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Representatives Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), Katie Porter (D-CA), and Greg Murphy, M.D. (R-NC) have introduced the Physician and Patient Safety Act to restore due process rights for physicians.

Federal law has not been updated to reflect changes in the medical industry, leaving physicians who are contracted but not directly employed by hospitals without guaranteed due process rights. This bill aims to address this oversight and ensure due process rights for physicians employed by third-party contractors or physician staffing companies.

The legislation is designed to uphold the integrity of medical practice in America's hospitals by ensuring that physicians can advocate for their patients without fear of termination. “Due process rights allow physicians to confidently advocate for their patients without the concern of facing termination,” Senator Marshall said.

Senator Warren added that it was time to shield physicians from corporate greed so they could provide the best care possible and keep patients safe.

Representative Ruiz emphasized that the bill was a crucial step towards ensuring that physicians could advocate for their patients without fear of losing their jobs.

The Physician and Patient Safety Act is supported by numerous organizations including the American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Radiology, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, among others.

Howard Chang, MD FACEP FAAEM, President of the Kansas Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians expressed his support stating that protecting the rights of physicians was a cornerstone of patient safety and quality healthcare.

Robert Frolichstein, MD FAAEM FCCM, President of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine echoed these sentiments saying there was no greater policy imperative for patient safety than enacting this due process legislation.

Ira P. Monka, DO, FACOFP (Dist), President of the American Osteopathic Association, also expressed his support for the bill stating that it was integral in enabling physicians to uphold their commitment to practicing medicine ethically.

AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., MPH, commended the sponsors of the bill for recognizing health care’s changing landscape.

Aisha Terry, MD, MPH, FACEP, President of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) said that safeguarding the right to due process for emergency physicians would ensure they could fully advocate for their patients without fear of retaliation or termination.