ATLANTA (March 21, 2013) – The Georgia State Senate passed House Bill 178 today by a vote of 44 to 5. Carried in the Senate by Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford), this legislation would require pain management clinics to be licensed by the Georgia Composite Medical Board.
“I am pleased by the passage of House Bill 178 in the Senate today,” said Sen. Unterman. “I believe this legislation will help provide an extra measure of protection to Georgia citizens by ensuring Georgia Pain Management Clinics are operating under the highest level of service and accreditation.”
Georgia Pain Management Clinics must be operated by a licensed physician and meet certain requirements for prescribing medicine and pain management services. Before a new applicant can receive a license, the Georgia Composite Medical Board will conduct a thorough investigation, which includes a criminal background check.
According to House Bill 178, all pain management clinics will now be required to obtain licensure from the Georgia Composite Medical Board. If passed into law, this legislation will go into effect on July 1, 2013 and require clinics to renew their license every two years.
This legislation also enables the Georgia Composite Medical Board to establish its own set of standards for continuing medical education and training. These standards apply to pain management clinic owners as well as health care professionals who practice pain management at a Georgia clinic. However, hospital-owned clinics are exempt from these licensure requirements, with the exception of hospital outpatient clinics that treat more than 50 percent of their patients for nonterminal conditions that result in chronic pain.
In addition to licensure requirements and continuing education, this legislation gives the board the authority to create standards for prescribing medications for chronic pain management.
House Bill 178 will now travel to the Governor’s desk for approval.