LANSING - State legislators are continuing to hear testimony on the sexual assault reform bill package which was sparked by Larry Nassar's abuse. The disgraced doctor was convicted of abusing athletes under the guise of medical treatment.
Three medical professionals testified before the Michigan House's Law and Justice Committee. Several of those bills in the comprehensive package relate to the regulation of the medical profession.
House Bill 5783 would require physicians to keep record of penetration for at least 15 years. House Bill 5793 prohibits an exam or procedure that involves penetration on a minor unless certain conditions were met.
The treatment must be in the scope of practice of the physician, a medical assistant or another licensee would need to be in the room while the medical procedure was performed. And there must be written consent from the parent or guardian. Some physicians and House Committee members wonder if these bills add an unnecessary amount of regulation.
"When you say, 'How do we prevent this in the future, how do we prevent the horrible thing where a physician betrayed'—first we do no harm, that is the fundamental tenant of what we do. A physician did harm under the guys of treatment, so I don't know how to prevent that. I do know that I'm scared to create an atmosphere where physicians are afraid to examine patients," Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Glenn Dregansky said.
Hearings on this bill package will continue on Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Lansing. The committee will hear testimony on six more bills that are part of the sex assault reform initiative.
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