54.1-2409.2 - Board to set criteria for determining need for professional regulation.

§ 54.1-2409.2. Board to set criteria for determining need for professionalregulation.

The Board of Health Professions shall study and prepare a report forsubmission to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 1, 1997,containing its findings and recommendations on the appropriate criteria to beapplied in determining the need for regulation of any health care occupationor profession. Such criteria shall address at a minimum the followingprinciples:

1. Promotion of effective health outcomes and protection of the public fromharm.

2. Accountability of health regulatory bodies to the public.

3. Promotion of consumers' access to a competent health care providerworkforce.

4. Encouragement of a flexible, rational, cost-effective health care systemthat allows effective working relationships among health care providers.

5. Facilitation of professional and geographic mobility of competentproviders.

6. Minimization of unreasonable or anti-competitive requirements that produceno demonstrable benefit.

The Board in its study shall analyze and frame its recommendations in thecontext of the total health care delivery system, considering the current andchanging nature of the settings in which health care occupations andprofessions are practiced. It shall recognize in its recommendations theinteraction of the regulation of health professionals with other areas ofregulation including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Regulation of facilities, organizations, and insurance plans;

2. Health delivery system data;

3. Reimbursement issues;

4. Accreditation of education programs; and

5. Health workforce planning efforts.

The Board in its study shall review and analyze the work of publicly andprivately sponsored studies of reform of health care workforce regulation inother states and nations. In conducting its study the Board shall cooperatewith the state academic health science centers with accredited professionaldegree programs.

(1996, c. 532.)