Bill > SB1672

This bill, by adding a new section to Chapter 334 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo), clarifies and expands the definition of the "practice of medicine" in Missouri. It now encompasses a broad range of activities related to human health, including examination, diagnosis, treatment, surgery, prescription, and prevention of any injury, disease, or condition, whether real or imaginary, and even cosmetic surgery, regardless of whether compensation is involved. The definition also explicitly includes evaluating patients, providing medical opinions for legal or administrative proceedings, and making decisions about healthcare to be provided by a treating physician, except where other state laws allow. For consulting physicians or specialists who receive referrals, the practice of medicine specifically includes their initial examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and determination of appropriate treatment, which they cannot delegate to anyone other than another consulting physician or specialist. Furthermore, the bill covers offering to perform these medical services, using professional titles like "doctor" or "physician" that imply the ability to practice medicine, and conducting research involving human subjects unless approved by an institutional review board. Importantly, the bill states that licensed professionals can perform activities that might fall under the practice of medicine, but only if they act within their own statutory authority and a physician remains actively involved and primarily responsible for the patient's examination, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan, with this primary responsibility not being delegable to any other person.

https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=5229241