WiHPCA opposes recently introduced legislation (Assembly 611) that would prohibit a health care entity, including hospices from taking action against individual health care providers that express professional opinions related to health or medical guidance that contradict the policies or orders of the health care entity.

In addition, the bill would prohibit state credentialing boards from acting against or denying or revoking a credential of a health care provider for expressing their medical opinions, regardless of the situation. Lastly, the provisions of the bill would not apply to faith-based health care entities have published religious, moral, or ethical policies or guidelines to the extent that an action taken by a health care provider violates the institution's religious, moral, or ethical policies or guidelines.

The bill has been referred to the Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care Committee, but has yet to be scheduled for a public hearing. The WiHPCA Government Affairs Team will continue to lobby against AB 611 and keep members updated on the status of the proposal.