Medical Board Reform.pdf

The Medical Board of California fails to protect patient safety by disciplining dangerous doctors, with a pattern of lenient discipline, lack of transparency, and refusal to give patients a voice in the enforcement process. The Board dismisses most complaints without investigation or explanation, and issues minor discipline for violations involving harm or death. Patients who file complaints are not interviewed, and their cases are often closed without investigation. Sunset review legislation must guarantee patients' voice in the enforcement process, increase transparency of physicians' disciplinary histories, and ensure the Board holds dangerous doctors accountable. This includes mandating patient interviews, increasing transparency on the medical board website, and strengthening enforcement tools. Patients must have input at every stage of the enforcement process, including the right to review records, submit additional documentation, and make an impact statement. Doctors' disciplinary histories must be clearly disclosed on the medical board website, and doctors must inform patients of their disciplinary history before an appointment.