OK
Oklahoma House Bill HB3601

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB3601

Introduced
2/5/24  
Refer
2/6/24  
Report Pass
2/27/24  
Engrossed
3/13/24  

Caption

Workers' compensation; Physician Advisory Committee; committee member appointments; committee member qualifications; effective date.

Impact

If enacted, HB 3601 will enhance the oversight of medical practices within the workers' compensation framework. It aims to improve the management of medical treatments that are deemed necessary for compensable injuries. Key features of the bill include stricter guidelines for the committee's composition and enhanced powers to evaluate healthcare providers. Furthermore, the legislation solidifies the recognition of the Official Disability Guidelines as a standard for determining treatment necessity.

Summary

House Bill 3601 seeks to amend existing laws related to the Physician Advisory Committee within the workers' compensation system in Oklahoma. The bill modifies the qualifications for members of the committee and establishes a more defined structure for its operation. The committee will play a crucial role in advising the Workers' Compensation Commission regarding medical treatment of work-related injuries, focusing on the appropriateness of various medical services and the billing practices associated with them.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding the bill appears to be generally positive among those in favor of stricter regulation of medical practices related to workers' compensation. Supporters believe that these changes will lead to better medical oversight and reduce instances of unnecessary or abusive practices. However, there may be concerns regarding the sufficiency of representation on the committee and whether the changes will adequately address the needs of injured workers.

Contention

There are potential points of contention regarding the composition of the Physician Advisory Committee, specifically whether the selected members will adequately reflect diverse perspectives in the medical community. Some may argue that the bill's changes could lead to an overemphasis on cost control at the expense of comprehensive medical care for injured workers. The debate around the balance between regulation and access to necessary medical services will likely persist as the bill progresses.

Latest HB3601 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

OK SB597

State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision; modifying qualifications for membership; modifying certain procedures for disciplinary action; establishing Anesthesiologist Assistants Advisory Committee. Effective date.

OK HB2113

Acupuncture and Asian medicine; defining terms; Acupuncture and Asian Medicine Committee; membership, terms, reimbursement policy, and powers and duties of Committee; codification; effective date.

OK SB399

Maternal mortality; reducing membership of Maternal Mortality Review Committee; requiring certain reporting and investigation of maternal deaths. Effective date.

OK SB238

Political committees; modifying definition of municipal, county, and school district political committees. Effective date.

OK HB2836

Workers' compensation; benefits; fees; effective date.

OK SB267

Public health; increasing membership of the Advancement of Wellness Advisory Council; broadening jurisdictional areas. Effective date.

OK HB2152

Maternal mortality; Maternal Mortality Review Committee; membership; hospital or licensed birthing center to report certain maternal deaths to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; types of deaths to be investigated; production of records, documents, evidence, or other material; Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to share certain material with the Maternal Mortality Review Committee; codification; effective date.

OK SB571

Long-term care; decreasing and modifying membership of Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Council; changing name. Effective date.

OK HB1621

Criminal procedure; insanity of accused; modifying membership of the Forensic Review Board; effective date.

OK HB1659

Public health and safety; recalculation and reimbursement from the Nursing Facility Quality Care Fund; removing advisory committee; effective date.

Similar Bills

NH HB1222

Relative to physician assistant scope of practice and establishing a committee to research physician assistant scope of practice.

CA AB393

Personal services contracts: state employees: physician and psychologist positions.

OK HB2051

Practice of medicine; creating the Supervised Physicians Act; limiting scope of supervised practice; directing specified Boards to promulgate certain rules; requiring collaborative practice arrangements; creating certain exemptions; effective date.

OK SB1613

Practice of medicine; creating the Graduate Physicians Act; providing for licensure and practice of graduate physicians; specifying certain requirements, limitations, penalties, and protections. Effective date.

SC S0669

Team Based Health Care Act

TX SB1331

Relating to the creation of the Texas Physician Health Program.

OK HB3916

Professions and occupations; Physician Assistant Act; modifying practice agreements; effective date.

OK HB3965

Physician assistants; Pharmacy Act; prescriptions for controlled dangerous substances; Physician Assistant Act; committee; members; requirements; practice agreements; prescribing; emergency.