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AIMS Advocacy - Legislative Updates Week of 06/08/2007
The
Legislative deadline to move bills out of their house of origin was last
Friday, June 8th. All bills that did not make it out of their
house of origin are dead for this year. Some important bills to note: - AB 1073
(Nava) will be heard in Senate Labor committee on June 27th.
This is a workers compensation medical treatment utilization schedule
bill. It would prohibit the 24 visit limit on the number of chiropractic,
occupational therapy, and physical therapy visits from applying to those for
postsurgical physical medicine and rehabilitative services. The
requirement that the evaluation be conducted by a California licensed physician
has been removed.
- AB 1137
(Eng) has been referred to the Senate Business & Professions Committee but
has not yet been set for hearing. It passed out of the Assembly
42-29. This is the Assembly bill that would place the Board of
Chiropractic Examiners under the Department of Consumer Affairs and would give
the Assembly & Senate the ability to appoint a member. The bill would
also require that members be subject to Senate confirmation.
- SB 801
(Ridley-Thomas) is the Senate version of AB 1137. It was passed out of
the Senate 24-16. It has not yet been referred to committee.
- Lastly,
SB 840 (Kuehl – single payer health care) passed out of the Senate on a
party-line vote 23-15. It is awaiting referral to a committee.
As
you will see from the Legislative Report, many of the bills that AIMS has been
tracking have been made 2 year bills. Generally this means that no
movement will occur on them this year. Because of this, WWLG will no
longer be representing AIMS for the remainder of the year. This will
allow AIMS to focus inward on the industry and put its energies into bringing
the industry together. I know AIMS is dedicated to building a solid
foundation from which to launch good public policy for the profession as a
whole. There are many things happening right now (e.g. workers
compensation, universal health care, etc.) and there will be much to do next
year. AIMS will also be pushing its sponsored bills. In order for
the profession to be effective when the time comes for political action, an
informed and unified industry must be standing ready.
I have enjoyed working with the industry and
am thankful that I had the opportunity to promote such a fine profession.
The opportunity is there to do some great things in the coming
years provided everyone comes together. As Sun Tzu wrote, "He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious."
This week's reports (click links to download):
- AIMS'
Weekly Legislative Status Report
- AIMS'
Amended Bill Report – Bills amended this week
Week of 05/11/2007 The beat goes on in the Capitol. Of particular interest to AIMS, on
Thursday the Governor and Legislative leaders announced a newly formed
coalition to tackle health care reform. They were joined by various
business leaders, including Steve Burd, the chairman of Safeway and the man
behind the coalition's formation. The coalition includes over 30
companies, including Blue Shield, GlaxoSmithKline, Raley's, Del Monte and
others. The coalition is focusing on "market-based" solutions
such as tax incentives, mandated insurance and financial assistance to the
poor. Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines reminded the audience that
in crafting a solution, small business mustn't be forgotten. Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman did not appear at the press conference
and is known to have a general skepticism of universal health care
proposals. For a transcript of the press conference, go to http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/speech/6191/.
The Governor is set to unveil his May Revise of the Budget on Monday.
One piece being talked about is the Governor's proposal to privatize the State
Lottery. This would allow a large influx of cash now; however, there is
concern that this sacrifices long-term revenue for short-term gain. This week's reports (click links to download):
- AIMS'
Weekly Legislative Status Report
- AIMS'
Amended Bill Report – Bills amended this week
Week of 05/03/2007 CLICK
HERE to download two memos from our Legislative Advocate, Jennifer Wada of
Wada Williams Law Group. One contains legislation of interest that was
amended during the last week, the other is legislative status for the year
2007. In her cover letter, Jennifer indicated that many State Senators are in
Washington, D.C., so there were no floor sessions or committee hearings this
week. The Assembly has been working, but things have been quiet and
showing signs of burn out. She speculates that last Friday's deadline for
fiscal bills to be brought out of committee may be the cause. Jennifer has recently met with significant individuals in Sacramento, each
of whom expressed gratitude that AIMS is taking a methodical approach to
legislative support and she has stated that AIMS is communicating amongst its
members to discern the best route to take.
Week of 04/13/2007 SB 136 (Cedillo – Asian Massage/Tui Na)
This week has been a long process of negotiation on SB 136. This bill is set for hearing on April 23rd in the Senate Business & Professions Committee. I have been in discussions with the California Chiropractic Association (CCA) and CAOMA. We are amending the bill to include a more specific definition of Tui Na and with this, CCA will remove their opposition. Additionally, we are going to change the term from Tui Na to “Acupuncture Massage” at the request of the committee since there is much confusion about the term “Tui Na” and “Acupuncture Massage” is more consistent w/ terms in the Acupuncture regs. Lastly, we are going to add a provision that states that the practice will be consistent w/ the training in the Acu Board’s regs. This will help to rebut the Physical Therapist’s argument that acupuncturists won’t be adequately trained in the practice.
We need as many letters of support as possible. CLICK HERE for a suggested starting point that people can fill out w/ their organization’s name and send in to the committee. The committee’s fax number is 916-324-0917. SUPPORT LETTERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MONDAY, APRIL 16TH.
AB 969, AB 636, AB 644
Due to opposition and/or concern within the industry, we have decided to put all of these bills on a two year track. There is simply too much opposition out there to push them forward at this time. This will give us time to work with the opposition on concerns in the hopes of creating solid policy for the industry as a whole.
Week of 03/30/2007 AB 54(Dymally) Health care coverage: acupuncture.
Introduced: 12/04/2006
Last Amend: 03/08/2007
Status: 03/29/2007-From committee: Be re-referred to
Com. on HEALTH. Re-referred. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (March 29).
Location: 03/29/2007-A HEALTH Summary: Existing law provides for regulation of
health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care. Existing
law provides for regulation of health insurers by the Insurance Commissioner. A
willful violation of the provisions governing health care service plans is a
crime. Existing law requires health care service plans and health insurers to offer
coverage for acupuncture under a group plan or policy, with certain exceptions.
This bill would require health care service plans and health insurers to
provide, rather than to offer, coverage for acupuncture under a group plan or
policy, and would delete the exceptions from that requirement. Because the bill
would impose new requirements on health care service plans, the willful
violation of which would be a crime, it would impose a state-mandated local
program. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Priority: Medium
Subject: Health Care Reform,
AB 636(Levine) Acupuncture.
Introduced: 02/21/2007
Last Amend: 03/27/2007
Status: 03/28/2007-Re-referred to Com. on B. &
P.
Location: 03/28/2007-A B. & P.
Summary: Existing law, the Acupuncture Licensure
Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of acupuncturists by the
Acupuncture Board and defines the practice of acupuncture for these purposes.
Existing law lists certain techniques and modalities that a licensed
acupuncturist may use on patients to promote, maintain, and restore health.
This bill would expand that list and to authorize the use of light by a
licensed acupuncturist for those purposes.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Sponsor
Priority: Hot
Subject: Scope of Practice,
AB 644(Dymally) Workers' compensation: medical treatment
utilization review.
Introduced: 02/21/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/01/2007-Referred to Coms. on INS. and L.
& E.
Location: 03/01/2007-A INS.
Calendar: 04/11/07 9 a.m. - Room 437 ASM INSURANCE
Summary: Existing law establishes a workers'
compensation system to compensate an employee for injuries sustained in the
course of his or her employment. Existing law requires every employer to
establish a medical treatment utilization review process in compliance with
specified requirements, either directly or through its insurer or an entity
with which the employer or insurer contracts for these services. Existing law
prohibits any person other than a licensed physician who is competent to
evaluate the specific clinical issues involved in the medical treatment
services requested by the physician, when these services are within the scope
of the physician' s practice, to modify, delay, or deny requests for
authorization of medical treatment for reasons of medical necessity to cure and
relieve. This bill would also require any physician who conducts such an
evaluation to have intimate knowledge of the issue submitted for review. The
bill would also require the utilization review process to be conducted as a
peer-to-peer evaluation process directed toward an evaluation of the medical
treatment requested by the physician treating an injured worker, and not to an
examination of the specialty of physician requesting the treatment. This bill
contains other related provisions.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Sponsor
Priority: Hot
Subject: Workers Compensation,
AB 969(Eng) Acupuncture: continuing education.
Introduced: 02/22/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/12/2007-Referred to Com. on B. & P.
Location: 03/12/2007-A B. & P.
Summary: Existing law, the Acupuncture Licensure
Act, provides for the licensing and regulation of acupuncturists by the
Acupuncture Board. Existing law requires a licensed acupuncturist to complete
50 hours of continuing education every 2 years, of which no more than 5 hours
may be spent on issues unrelated to clinical matters or the actual provision of
health care to patients. This bill would delete the restriction that no more
than 5 of the mandatory continuing education hours may be spent on issues
unrelated to clinical matters or the actual provision of health care to
patients.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Sponsor
Priority: Hot
Subject: Continuing Education,
AB 1025(Bass) Professions and vocations: denial of licensure.
Introduced: 02/22/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/12/2007-Referred to Com. on B. & P.
Location: 03/12/2007-A B. & P.
Summary: Existing law provides for the licensure
and regulation of various professions and vocations by boards within the
Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law authorizes a board to deny
licensure on certain bases, including an applicant's conviction of a crime
regardless of whether the conviction has been dismissed on specified grounds,
an applicant's performance of any act involving dishonesty, fraud, or deceit
with the intent to substantially benefit himself or herself or another or to
substantially injure another, or an applicant's performance of any act that
would be grounds for suspension or revocation of the license. Existing law
requires a board that denies an application for licensure to provide the
applicant with notice of the denial, as specified. Existing law authorizes a
board to suspend or revoke a license on the basis that a licensee has been
convicted of a crime that is substantially related to the qualifications,
functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the license was
issued, regardless of whether the conviction has been dismissed on specified
grounds, and requires the board to provide the ex-licensee with certain
information upon doing so. This bill would provide that a person may not be
denied licensure or have his or her license suspended or revoked based on a
criminal conviction that has been dismissed on specified grounds. The bill
would also provide that an arrest more than one year old does not constitute
grounds for denial of a license pursuant to the above provisions if no
disposition is reported. This bill would require the board to provide an
applicant or ex-licensee whose application has been denied or whose license has
been suspended or revoked based upon a crime with a copy of the criminal
history record information relied upon in making the determination, as
specified.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Subject: B&P Licensure,
AB 1073(Nava) Workers' compensation: medical treatment
utilization schedule.
Introduced: 02/23/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/12/2007-Referred to Com. on INS.
Location: 03/12/2007-A INS.
Summary: Existing law establishes a workers'
compensation system to compensate an employee for injuries sustained in the
course of his or her employment. Existing law requires that the Administrative
Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, on or before January 1,
2004, adopt, after public hearings, a medical treatment utilization schedule,
as specified. Existing law provides that, notwithstanding the medical treatment
utilization schedule or guidelines set forth in the American College of
Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice
Guidelines, for injuries occurring on and after January 1, 2004, an employee
shall be entitled to no more than 24 chiropractic, 24 occupational therapy, and
24 physical therapy visits per industrial injury, but specifies that this limit
shall not apply when an employer authorizes, in writing, additional visits to a
health care practitioner for physical medicine services. This bill would also
prohibit the limit on the number of chiropractic, occupational therapy, and
physical therapy visits from applying to visits for postsurgical physical
medicine and rehabilitative services. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Subject: Workers Compensation,
AB 1444(Emmerson) Physical therapists: scope of practice.
Introduced: 02/23/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 02/26/2007-Read first time.
Location: 02/23/2007-A PRINT
Summary: Existing law, the Physical Therapy
Practice Act, creates the Physical Therapy Board of California and makes it
responsible for the licensure and regulation of physical therapists. The act
defines the term "physical therapy" for its purposes and makes it a
crime to practice physical therapy without a license issued by the board. This
bill would make nonsubstantive changes to this provision that defines
"physical therapy."
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Subject: Scope of Practice,
AB 1565(Lieber) Workers' compensation: medical evaluations.
Introduced: 02/23/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 02/26/2007-Read first time.
Location: 02/23/2007-A PRINT
Summary: Existing law establishes a workers'
compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the
Division of Workers' Compensation, to compensate an employee for injuries
sustained in the course of his or her employment. Existing law provides that
whenever a comprehensive medical evaluation is required to resolve any dispute
arising out of an injury or a claimed injury occurring on or after January 1,
2005, and the employee is represented by an attorney, the evaluation shall be
obtained only in accordance with prescribed requirements for the conduct of the
evaluation. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to those
provisions.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Subject: Workers Compensation,
SB 136(Cedillo) Acupuncture:
Tui Na.
Introduced: 01/25/2007
Last Amend: 03/01/2007
Status: 03/29/2007-Set for hearing April 23.
Location: 02/01/2007-S B., P. & E.D.
Calendar: 04/23/07 1:30 p.m. - Room 3191 SEN
BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Summary: Existing law, the Acupuncture Licensure
Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of acupuncturists by the
Acupuncture Board . Existing law authorizes the holder of an acupuncturist's
license to engage in the practice of acupuncture and various other forms of
treatment, including Asian massage. Existing law specifies that the act does
not prohibit a person who is not a licensed acupuncturist or licensed healing
arts practitioner from performing or prescribing those other forms of treatment
. This bill would delete the term Asian massage and would instead authorize the
holder of an acupuncturist's license to perform or prescribe the use of Tui Na.
This bill would define Tui Na for purposes of that provision as the use of
pressure techniques, including myofascial release, or manual therapy .
Organization: AIMS
Position: Support
Priority: Hot
Subject: Asian Massage,
SB 352(Padilla) Workers'
compensation: medical treatment utilization schedule.
Introduced: 02/20/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/29/2007-Set for hearing April 16.
Location: 03/28/2007-S APPR.
Calendar: 04/16/07 1:30 p.m. - John L. Burton
Hearing Room (4203) SEN APPROPRIATIONS
Summary: Existing workers' compensation law
requires employers to secure the payment of workers' compensation, including
medical treatment, for injuries incurred by their employees that arise out of,
or in the course of, employment. Existing law requires the Administrative
Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation to adopt a medical treatment
utilization schedule, containing specified guidelines covering the extent and
scope of medical treatment to be provided to an injured employee. Existing law
specifies that, notwithstanding the medical treatment utilization schedule or
other specified medical practice guidelines, for injuries occurring on and
after January 1, 2004, an employee is entitled to no more than 24 chiropractic,
24 occupational therapy, and 24 physical therapy visits per industrial injury,
except when an employer authorizes, in writing, additional visits to a health
care practitioner for physical medicine services. This bill would exempt from
the above-described limits on chiropractic, occupational therapy, and physical
therapy visits specified employees of a sheriff's office or police or fire department,
peace officers, and active firefighters.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Priority: Medium
Subject: Workers Compensation,
SB 731(Oropeza) Massage
therapy.
Introduced: 02/23/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/21/2007-Set for hearing April 9.
Location: 03/08/2007-S B., P. & E.D.
Calendar: 04/09/07 1:30 p.m. - Room 3191 SEN
BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Summary: Existing law provides for the
regulation of various healing arts professionals, including physicians and
surgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists, and acupuncturists. Existing law
authorizes the legislative body of a city or county to enact ordinances
providing for the licensing and regulation of the business of massage when
carried on within the city or county. This bill would, commencing July 1, 2008,
provide for the certification of massage practitioners and massage therapists
by the Massage Therapy Organization, which would be a nonprofit organization
that meets specified requirements, and would impose certain duties on the
organization. The bill would require applicants for certification as massage
practitioners or massage therapists to be 18 years of age or older, to meet
specified educational criteria, to provide to the organization and update
certain information, to provide fingerprints for submission to the Department
of Justice for a criminal background check, and to pay fees required by the
organization. The bill would require the Department of Justice to review
specified information and to provide to the organization fitness determinations
and certain other information. The bill would allow the organization to take certain
disciplinary action against certificate holders, would make the violation of
specified provisions a misdemeanor, and would require the organization to take
certain action with regard to suspending or revoking a certificate if the
certificate holder has been arrested for, and charged with, specified crimes.
The bill would prohibit a city, county, or city and county from enacting
certain ordinances regulating the practice of massage by a certificate holder,
as specified. The bill would make the organization subject to review by the
Joint Committee on Boards, Commissions, and Consumer Protection. The bill would
require the organization to provide the committee with a related report by
September 1, 2012. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2014.
This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Priority: Low
Subject: Massage Therapy,B&P Licensure,
SB 840(Kuehl) Single-payer
health care coverage.
Introduced: 02/23/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/29/2007-To Com. on V.A.
Location: 03/29/2007-S V. A.
Calendar: 04/18/07 1:30 p.m. - John L. Burton Hearing
Room (4203) SPECIAL ORDER @ 1:30 P.M. SEN HEALTH
Summary: Existing law does not provide a system
of universal health care coverage for California
residents. Existing law provides for the creation of various programs to
provide health care services to persons who have limited incomes and meet
various eligibility requirements. These programs include the Healthy Families
Program administered by the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, and the
Medi-Cal program administered by the State Department of Health Care Services.
Existing law provides for the regulation of health care service plans by the
Department of Managed Health Care and health insurers by the Department of
Insurance. This bill would establish the California Universal Healthcare System
to be administered by the newly created California Universal Healthcare Agency
under the control of a Universal Healthcare Commissioner appointed by the
Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate. The bill would make all California residents
eligible for specified health care benefits under the California Universal
Healthcare System, which would, on a single-payer basis, negotiate for or set
fees for health care services provided through the system and pay claims for
those services. The bill would require the commissioner to seek all necessary
waivers, exemptions, agreements, or legislation to allow various existing
federal, state, and local health care payments to be paid to the California
Universal Healthcare System, which would then assume responsibility for all
benefits and services previously paid for with those funds. This bill contains
other related provisions and other existing laws.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Priority: Medium
Subject: Health Care Reform,
Week of 03/23/2007 AB 636(Levine) Acupuncture: scope of practice.
Introduced: 02/21/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/01/2007-Referred to Com. on B. & P.
Location: 03/01/2007-A B. & P.
Calendar: 04/10/07 9:00 a.m. - Room 447 ASM BUSINESS
AND PROFESSIONS Summary: Existing law, the Acupuncture Licensure
Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of acupuncturists by the
Acupuncture Board and defines the practice of acupuncture for these purposes.
Under existing law, "acupuncture" is defined as the stimulation of
points on the body by the insertion of needles for specified health benefits.
This bill would expand the definition of acupuncture to include the stimulation
of acupuncture points by low-level laser stimulation with a laser device
designated as a class IIIb laser by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Sponsor
Priority: Hot
Subject: Scope of Practice,
AB 644(Dymally) Workers' compensation: medical treatment
utilization review.
Introduced: 02/21/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/01/2007-Referred to Coms. on INS. and L.
& E.
Location: 03/01/2007-A INS.
Calendar: 04/11/07 9 a.m. - Room 437 ASM INSURANCE
Summary: Existing law establishes a workers'
compensation system to compensate an employee for injuries sustained in the
course of his or her employment. Existing law requires every employer to
establish a medical treatment utilization review process in compliance with
specified requirements, either directly or through its insurer or an entity
with which the employer or insurer contracts for these services. Existing law
prohibits any person other than a licensed physician who is competent to evaluate
the specific clinical issues involved in the medical treatment services
requested by the physician, when these services are within the scope of the
physician' s practice, to modify, delay, or deny requests for authorization of
medical treatment for reasons of medical necessity to cure and relieve. This
bill would also require any physician who conducts such an evaluation to have
intimate knowledge of the issue submitted for review. The bill would also
require the utilization review process to be conducted as a peer-to-peer
evaluation process directed toward an evaluation of the medical treatment
requested by the physician treating an injured worker, and not to an
examination of the specialty of physician requesting the treatment. This bill
contains other related provisions.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Sponsor
Priority: Hot
Subject: Workers Compensation,
AB 969(Eng) Acupuncture: continuing education.
Introduced: 02/22/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/12/2007-Referred to Com. on B. & P.
Location: 03/12/2007-A B. & P.
Calendar: 04/10/07 9:00 a.m. - Room 447 ASM BUSINESS
AND PROFESSIONS
Summary: Existing law, the Acupuncture Licensure
Act, provides for the licensing and regulation of acupuncturists by the
Acupuncture Board. Existing law requires a licensed acupuncturist to complete
50 hours of continuing education every 2 years, of which no more than 5 hours
may be spent on issues unrelated to clinical matters or the actual provision of
health care to patients. This bill would delete the restriction that no more
than 5 of the mandatory continuing education hours may be spent on issues
unrelated to clinical matters or the actual provision of health care to
patients.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Sponsor
Priority: Hot
Subject: Continuing Education,
AB 1025(Bass) Professions and vocations: denial of licensure.
Introduced: 02/22/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/12/2007-Referred to Com. on B. & P.
Location: 03/12/2007-A B. & P.
Summary: Existing law provides for the licensure
and regulation of various professions and vocations by boards within the
Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law authorizes a board to deny
licensure on certain bases, including an applicant's conviction of a crime
regardless of whether the conviction has been dismissed on specified grounds,
an applicant's performance of any act involving dishonesty, fraud, or deceit
with the intent to substantially benefit himself or herself or another or to
substantially injure another, or an applicant's performance of any act that
would be grounds for suspension or revocation of the license. Existing law
requires a board that denies an application for licensure to provide the
applicant with notice of the denial, as specified. Existing law authorizes a
board to suspend or revoke a license on the basis that a licensee has been
convicted of a crime that is substantially related to the qualifications,
functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the license was
issued, regardless of whether the conviction has been dismissed on specified
grounds, and requires the board to provide the ex-licensee with certain
information upon doing so. This bill would provide that a person may not be
denied licensure or have his or her license suspended or revoked based on a
criminal conviction that has been dismissed on specified grounds. The bill
would also provide that an arrest more than one year old does not constitute
grounds for denial of a license pursuant to the above provisions if no
disposition is reported. This bill would require the board to provide an
applicant or ex-licensee whose application has been denied or whose license has
been suspended or revoked based upon a crime with a copy of the criminal
history record information relied upon in making the determination, as
specified.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Subject: B&P Licensure,
AB 1073(Nava) Workers' compensation: medical treatment
utilization schedule.
Introduced: 02/23/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/12/2007-Referred to Com. on INS.
Location: 03/12/2007-A INS.
Summary: Existing law establishes a workers'
compensation system to compensate an employee for injuries sustained in the
course of his or her employment. Existing law requires that the Administrative
Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, on or before January 1,
2004, adopt, after public hearings, a medical treatment utilization schedule,
as specified. Existing law provides that, notwithstanding the medical treatment
utilization schedule or guidelines set forth in the American College of Occupational
and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines, for
injuries occurring on and after January 1, 2004, an employee shall be entitled
to no more than 24 chiropractic, 24 occupational therapy, and 24 physical
therapy visits per industrial injury, but specifies that this limit shall not
apply when an employer authorizes, in writing, additional visits to a health
care practitioner for physical medicine services. This bill would also prohibit
the limit on the number of chiropractic, occupational therapy, and physical
therapy visits from applying to visits for postsurgical physical medicine and
rehabilitative services. This bill contains other related provisions and other
existing laws.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Subject: Workers Compensation,
AB 1444(Emmerson) Physical therapists: scope of practice.
Introduced: 02/23/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 02/26/2007-Read first time.
Location: 02/23/2007-A PRINT
Summary: Existing law, the Physical Therapy
Practice Act, creates the Physical Therapy Board of California and makes it
responsible for the licensure and regulation of physical therapists. The act
defines the term "physical therapy" for its purposes and makes it a
crime to practice physical therapy without a license issued by the board. This
bill would make nonsubstantive changes to this provision that defines
"physical therapy."
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Subject: Scope of Practice,
AB 1565(Lieber) Workers' compensation: medical evaluations.
Introduced: 02/23/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 02/26/2007-Read first time.
Location: 02/23/2007-A PRINT
Summary: Existing law establishes a workers'
compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the
Division of Workers' Compensation, to compensate an employee for injuries
sustained in the course of his or her employment. Existing law provides that
whenever a comprehensive medical evaluation is required to resolve any dispute
arising out of an injury or a claimed injury occurring on or after January 1,
2005, and the employee is represented by an attorney, the evaluation shall be
obtained only in accordance with prescribed requirements for the conduct of the
evaluation. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to those
provisions.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Subject: Workers Compensation,
SB 136(Cedillo) Acupuncture:
Tui Na.
Introduced: 01/25/2007
Last Amend: 03/01/2007
Status: 03/01/2007-From committee with author's
amendments. Read second time. Amended. Re-referred to committee.
Location: 02/01/2007-S B., P. & E.D.
Summary: Existing law, the Acupuncture Licensure
Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of acupuncturists by the
Acupuncture Board . Existing law authorizes the holder of an acupuncturist's
license to engage in the practice of acupuncture and various other forms of
treatment, including Asian massage. Existing law specifies that the act does
not prohibit a person who is not a licensed acupuncturist or licensed healing
arts practitioner from performing or prescribing those other forms of treatment
. This bill would delete the term Asian massage and would instead authorize the
holder of an acupuncturist's license to perform or prescribe the use of Tui Na.
This bill would define Tui Na for purposes of that provision as the use of
pressure techniques, including myofascial release, or manual therapy .
Organization: AIMS
Position: Support
Priority: Hot
Subject: Asian Massage,
SB 352(Padilla) Workers'
compensation: medical treatment utilization schedule.
Introduced: 02/20/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 03/13/2007-Set for hearing March 28.
Location: 02/28/2007-S L. & I.R.
Calendar: 03/28/07 8:30 a.m. - Rose Ann Vuich
Hearing Room (2040) SEN LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Summary: Existing workers' compensation law
requires employers to secure the payment of workers' compensation, including
medical treatment, for injuries incurred by their employees that arise out of,
or in the course of, employment. Existing law requires the Administrative
Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation to adopt a medical treatment
utilization schedule, containing specified guidelines covering the extent and
scope of medical treatment to be provided to an injured employee. Existing law
specifies that, notwithstanding the medical treatment utilization schedule or
other specified medical practice guidelines, for injuries occurring on and
after January 1, 2004, an employee is entitled to no more than 24 chiropractic,
24 occupational therapy, and 24 physical therapy visits per industrial injury,
except when an employer authorizes, in writing, additional visits to a health
care practitioner for physical medicine services. This bill would exempt from
the above-described limits on chiropractic, occupational therapy, and physical
therapy visits specified employees of a sheriff's office or police or fire
department, peace officers, and active firefighters.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Priority: Medium
Subject: Workers Compensation,
SB 840(Kuehl) Single-payer
health care coverage.
Introduced: 02/23/2007
Last Amend:
Status: 02/26/2007-Read first time.
Location: 02/23/2007-S PRINT
Summary: Existing law does not provide a system
of universal health care coverage for California
residents. Existing law provides for the creation of various programs to
provide health care services to persons who have limited incomes and meet
various eligibility requirements. These programs include the Healthy Families
Program administered by the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, and the
Medi-Cal program administered by the State Department of Health Care Services.
Existing law provides for the regulation of health care service plans by the
Department of Managed Health Care and health insurers by the Department of
Insurance. This bill would establish the California Universal Healthcare System
to be administered by the newly created California Universal Healthcare Agency
under the control of a Universal Healthcare Commissioner appointed by the
Governor and subject to confirmation by the Senate. The bill would make all California residents
eligible for specified health care benefits under the California Universal
Healthcare System, which would, on a single-payer basis, negotiate for or set
fees for health care services provided through the system and pay claims for
those services. The bill would require the commissioner to seek all necessary
waivers, exemptions, agreements, or legislation to allow various existing
federal, state, and local health care payments to be paid to the California Universal
Healthcare System, which would then assume responsibility for all benefits and
services previously paid for with those funds. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
Organization: AIMS
Position: Watch
Priority: Medium
Subject: Health Care Reform,
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