HLS 14RS-1177 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 43
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARMODY
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS: Requests the State Board of Medical Examiners to study and
make recommendations concerning authorization to perform certain surgical
procedures
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To authorize and request the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to study whether2
authorization to perform surgical procedures on the human eye could be extended to3
health professionals other than physicians in a manner that ensures an adequate level4
of patient safety, and to report its findings to the legislative committees on health and5
welfare along with any necessary and appropriate policy recommendations.6
WHEREAS, because of its unique qualifications as the regulatory body for the7
practice of medicine in this state, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners is the8
proper authority to which the legislature should turn for guidance concerning any proposal9
to extend authorization to perform surgery to health professionals other than physicians; and10
WHEREAS, "surgery" is generally defined as the treatment of disease, injury, or11
disorder of the body by incision or manipulation with an instrument; and12
WHEREAS, "ophthalmic surgery" is specifically defined in Louisiana law, R.S.13
37:1041(C)(4), as a procedure upon the human eye or its adnexa in which in vivo human14
tissue is injected, cut, burned, frozen, sutured, vaporized, coagulated, or photodisrupted by15
the use of surgical instrumentation such as, but not limited to, a scalpel, cryoprobe, laser,16
electric cautery, or ionizing radiation; and17
WHEREAS, the Paragraph of law defining ophthalmic surgery also provides18
explicitly that only persons licensed to practice medicine by the Louisiana State Board of19
Medical Examiners under the laws of this state may perform this type of surgery; and20 HLS 14RS-1177 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 43
Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, balancing access to health care with patient safety is a vital public1
health priority of this state.2
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby3
authorize and request the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to study whether4
authorization to perform surgical procedures on the human eye could be extended to health5
professionals other than physicians in a manner that ensures an adequate level of patient6
safety.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study, the Louisiana State8
Board of Medical Examiners shall engage and solicit input and perspective from the9
Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners on matters related to ophthalmic care.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners11
shall submit its findings from the study, along with any necessary and appropriate policy12
recommendations, in the form of a report to the House Committee on Health and Welfare13
and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on or before November 1, 2014.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners15
shall transmit to the Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners the findings and16
recommendations it submits to the legislative committees specified herein, and shall do so17
on the same date that it submits the materials to the specified legislative committees.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the19
executive director of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and to the executive20
director of the Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners.21
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Carmody HCR No. 43
Authorizes and requests the La. State Board of Medical Examiners to study whether
authorization to perform surgical procedures on the human eye could be extended to health
professionals other than physicians in a manner that ensures an adequate level of patient
safety, and to report findings and recommendations to the legislative committees on health
and welfare on or before Nov. 1, 2014.