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CS/SB 218 — Licensure Requirements for Osteopathic Physicians

by Health Policy Committee and Senator Harrell

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)

The bill updates the osteopathic internship and residency accrediting agencies.

The bill amends s. 459.0055, F.S., to recognize the agreement between the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Under the agreement, both organizations have committed to improving the patient care delivered by resident and fellow physicians and to do so in clinical learning environments characterized by excellence in care, safety, and professionalism, thereby creating a single path for graduate medical education (GME) for physicians.

This single path for GME allows osteopathic and allopathic medical school graduates to seek residencies and fellowship programs accreditation by ACGME. This will enable osteopathic medical school graduates, residents, and fellows to apply to the National Resident Match Program and participate in the Main Residency Match for internships, residencies, and fellowships, thereby creating more residency opportunities for osteopathic residents.

The bill deletes statutory reference to the Board of Trustees of the Bureau of Professional Education of the AOA as an internship and residency accrediting organization during the transition to a single path for GME, while maintaining reference to the AOA, and repeals the Board of Osteopathic Medicine’s authority to accredit other internship programs upon a showing of good cause.

If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.

Vote: Senate 39-0; House 117-0