Bill Would Revoke Doctors’ Licenses for Dumping Patients

Doctors could lose their medical licenses if, without notice, they stopped treating patients who have AIDS, cancer, diabetes or other serious diseases under legislation that has been introduced in the Assembly.

The bill (AB 2374) would require physicians to inform patients in writing 30 days in advance of their intention to stop caring for them, plus make a referral to another appropriate doctor willing to take such cases.

“Dumping a patient with AIDS, cancer, diabetes or other serious diseases can cause life-threatening complications for the patient,” said author Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Los Angeles).

“This measure is vital to protect people who encounter health care providers who dump patients for whom they do not want to care.”

A 1990 San Francisco General Hospital survey found that only 17% of responding physicians would care for patients with AIDS, the assemblyman said, and 63% said they intended to avoid patients with the disease.

GOVERNOR

Will speak to an Inland Empire Economic Development Council installation dinner for new officers in Riverside today.

ASSEMBLY

Bill Introductions

Smoking: AB 2531 by Assemblyman Willard H. Murray Jr. (D-Paramount) would prohibit an employer from discriminating against an employee or job applicant because they smoke during non-working hours at locations away from the workplace.

Consumer Credit: AB 2495 by Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan (D-Fresno) would require consumer credit reporting agencies to notify a consumer in writing and offer a chance to respond when information is received that could adversely affect credit standing.

Transportation Contracts: AB 2501 by Assemblyman Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles) would authorize the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission to give preference to businesses located within the county in the award of contracts.

Gang Prevention: AB 2511 by Assemblywoman Teresa P. Hughes (D-Los Angeles) would require the legislative analyst to evaluate the effectiveness of gang prevention programs in public schools and report to the Legislature with recommendations.

Sex Discrimination: AB 2492 by Assemblyman Curtis Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood) would entitle any person who wins a sex discrimination civil suit to collect reasonable attorney fees.

SENATE

Bill Introductions

Attorney Discipline: SB 1405 by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside) would require the California State Bar to issue an annual report containing specified information on the performance of its attorney discipline system.

State Salaries: SB 1411 by Sen. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) would limit the amount of annual salary paid to chairpersons and members of state boards and commissions to an amount equal to the annual $52,500 salary paid to state legislators.

Air Pollution: SB 1395 by Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-Los Angeles) would authorize the issuance of special “Blue Sky” license plates to the owners and lessees of clean-fuel motor vehicles who agree to pay an additional fee.

Jury Duty: SB 1391 by Sen. Alfred E. Alquist (D-San Jose) would authorize a state income tax credit for the amount of salary lost by an employee as a result of jury duty.

Conjugal Visits: SB 1382 by Sen. Edward R. Royce (R-Anaheim) would prohibit conjugal visits for prison inmates convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

Miscellaneous

The powerful California Medical Assn. has hired Steven Thompson as a lobbyist with the title of vice president for governmental relations. Thompson previously served as the director of the Assembly Office of Research and chief of staff to Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco). Thompson’s salary was not announced.