2013 -- H 6328

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LC02956

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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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

     Referred To: House read and passed

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

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

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chiropractic physicians; and

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

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chiropractic physicians; and

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

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

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within the state”; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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under applicable state law”; and

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

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

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affordable health insurance coverage; and

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

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

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professionals; now, therefore be it

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

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

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

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

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chiropractic physicians; and be it further

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

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

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

     

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LC02956

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H6328