SEPT. 1, 2000

National Notes
New Bill Gives Consumers Access to National Practitioner Data Bank

Members of the House Commerce Committee are working on legislation to expand the National Practitioner Data Bank to allow public access to information about physicians, including disciplinary actions and malpractice judgements. According to the 1986 law that created the databank, only hospitals and HMOs are currently allowed to access the information for credentialing procedures.

The House may consider the legislation as early as September 5, when Congress returns from the Summer recess. While patient advocacy groups like Public Citizen and People’s Medical society support the bill, The American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association oppose opening the National Practitioner Data Bank to consumers.

The bill would allow physicians to provide a 4,000-word rebuttal or explanation of any reports of malpractice judgments or disciplinary actions.