13-R421

2013 -- H 6328

Enacted 07/19/13

 

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIANS IN RHODE ISLAND

     

     

     Introduced By: Representative Raymond E. Gallison

     Date Introduced: July 02, 2013

 

     

     WHEREAS, Since 1987, Rhode Island General Law 27-20-1 has defined “medical

services” as that term used in statutes governing health plans, including services rendered by

chiropractic physicians; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Law 27-18-25 prohibits discrimination against

chiropractic physicians; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Law 5-30-17 states that medical licensure statute

apply to the practice of chiropractic medicine, and to persons practicing chiropractic medicine

within the state”; and

      WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Law 5-30-11 states that chiropractic physicians “are

subject to the same duties and liabilities, and are entitled to the same rights and privileges in their

professional calling pertaining to public health, which are imposed or given by law or regulation

upon or to physicians qualified to practice medicine by section 5-37-2”; and

     WHEREAS, Section 2706 of the Federal Affordable Care Act explicitly provides that

“[a] group health and health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance

coverage shall not discriminate with respect to participation under the plan or coverage against

and health care provider who is acting within the scope of that provider’s license or certification

under applicable state law”; and

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly supports the Affordable Care Act in its goals of

reducing health care costs, improving the quality of care, and ensuring Americans have access to

affordable health insurance coverage; and

     WHEREAS, The Affordable Care Act includes provisions against health plans imposing

caps on the number of visits and dollar amounts for services rendered by qualified health care

professionals; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby affirms that chiropractic physicians are entitled to the same rights and

privileges as all other allopathic and osteopathic physicians, consistent with Rhode Island General

Law and Section 2706 of the Federal Affordable Care Act prohibiting discrimination against

chiropractic physicians; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the office of Health Insurance Commissioner,

the director of Department of Health, and Governor Lincoln Chafee.

     

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LC02956

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