Medical Boards List Top Priorities in Letter to Trump

Federation of State Medical Boards says it's ready to work with the new administration on medical license portability and better state-federal coordination to curb opioid abuse.

Improving medical license portability, removing barriers to telemedicine, and better state-federal coordination in battling opioid abuse are among the top priorities identified by the Federation of State Medical Boards in a letter this week to President-elect Donald Trump.

The FSMB is ready to work with the incoming administration "to ensure that state medical boards continue to play a central role in shaping the future of medical regulation by protecting the public and promoting quality healthcare in the United States," FSMB President/CEO President Humayun J. Chaudhry, DO, said in the letter.

The federation, a non-profit organization comprising 70 state medical and osteopathic licensing and disciplinary boards in the U.S. and its territories, identified four areas that it hopes to act on with the cooperation of the Trump Administration. They are:

• Encouraging the work by states to support medical license portability by enacting the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which expedites physician licensure that expands access to healthcare, especially in rural and underserved communities.

• Strengthening a shared commitment to remove barriers and accelerate access to telemedicine services, especially for military personnel and veterans, in a safe and accountable manner.

• Continuing to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Drug Enforcement Administration, Food and Drug Administration, Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to combat opioids abuse, while also balancing access for patients with legitimate needs.

• Acknowledging the value of state medical boards in protecting the public and expressing concern about federal interference with states' medical regulatory autonomy.

"The FSMB welcomes the opportunity to work with your Administration on these priorities, as well as initiatives focused on promoting quality health care in the United States," Chaudhry wrote.