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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 10, 2020 02:35 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Wendi Thomas |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Long-Term Care Medical Director Registry and Communication Act |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation requiring establishment of a registry of medical directors in nursing homes, personal care homes and assisted living facilities. Medical directors, physicians who oversee the clinical care provided in a post-acute/long-term care setting, are more engaged than ever before, as evident in their response with the rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis. Pennsylvania does not maintain a registry of this crucial leadership role in long-term care, making it more difficult for state and local public health agencies to identify this physician resource in order to provide assistance in the preparation for and response to the pandemic. This bill would prove invaluable to provide current information and access to best practices to other physicians, government officials and healthcare providers. A registry would be an effective communication channel during this health crisis. My legislation will require maintenance of a registry of medical directors to be utilized by the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services. This registry would be of enormous value for public health agencies not only during the current COVID-19 pandemic but also during any health crisis such as influenza, norovirus and other seasonal outbreaks along with other emergency uses. It would establish improved communication avenues with medical long-term care leadership for educational opportunities for attending physicians and nurse practitioners/physician assistants, collaboration between organizations and compliance with state-mandated regulations. In addition it increases transparency to the public, as nursing home residents and their families have a right to know the physician who is charged with the vital tasks of coordinating the medical care given in the facility and the implementation of resident care policies. I welcome you in joining me as a cosponsor of this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB2792