Michigan House Bill HB5115

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/10/23
• Refer: 10/10/23

Caption

Health occupations: physician's assistants; delegation of acts, tasks, or functions to licensed or unlicensed individual; modify. Amends sec. 16215 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16215).

Impact

The proposed amendments under HB5115 are aimed at enhancing flexibility in healthcare delivery, particularly in delegating tasks that do not require a full medical license but can be adequately performed by trained individuals under supervision. By allowing the delegation of specific acts to unlicensed individuals in certain scenarios—like medical students or surgical technologists—this bill could potentially improve efficiency in healthcare settings, particularly in surgical and clinical environments where the demand for labor can be high.

Summary

House Bill 5115 seeks to amend the Michigan Public Health Code by modifying the provisions related to the delegation of specific acts, tasks, or functions by qualified health professionals, particularly allopathic and osteopathic physicians. The bill enables these qualified licensees to delegate selected tasks to both licensed and unlicensed individuals, provided these individuals are qualified through education, training, or experience. Delegated tasks must fall within the scope of the qualified licensee’s practice and must be performed under their supervision.

Contention

However, the bill may introduce points of contention regarding the safety and quality of care. Critics may argue that delegating medical tasks to unlicensed individuals could compromise patient safety if not regulated strictly. There are concerns regarding the standards of training and supervision necessary to ensure that patients receive appropriate care. Furthermore, how these changes interact with existing practices and regulations in medical facilities could also be a source of debate among healthcare providers and policymakers.