Bill to Protect Health Care Consumers Passes House

Defines the term surgery in the code Works toward further patient safety and professional competence in the performance of surgery.

Central Virginia- Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Hanover) is pleased to announce his bill House Bill 266 passed the House this week with unanimous support. HB 266 is a measure to define "surgery" so that no person other than a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry, a licensed nurse practitioner, or a person who is acting pursuant to the orders and under the appropriate supervision of a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, or dentistry shall perform surgery.

With the changing landscape of health care nationally it is important that Virginia join with 20 other states to assure patients in Virginia that only medically trained surgeons are permitted to operate on them.  We do not want the federal government telling Virginia what surgery is or isn't.  Surgery performed by under-trained or inappropriately trained health practitioners can result in irreversible consequences. As federal and state policies promote team care approaches to health care delivery, there is a need to clearly define the roles and standards for surgical and other invasive treatments.

"Protecting the health, safety and well being of residents of the Commonwealth is important to me. I will continue to work to pass health care legislation such as this that further protects patients and assures continued access to quality health services," stated Peace.

HB 266 passed by a vote of 98-0 and will now be heard by the Senate committee on Education and Health.