Colorado's Medical Transparency Act
When people find themselves in the difficult and stressful situation of choosing a doctor, surgeon, or other health care provider to perform a major procedure or treatment, they likely conduct some research to ensure they are making the right choice, but much comes down to basic trust in the medical profession. While a high level of trust is necessary to feel at ease in another's care, a lot can be discovered about a health care provider's experience and credentials because of laws requiring medical professionals to publicly disclose background information.
In 2007, Colorado passed one of the first and most patient-oriented transparency acts in the country, requiring doctors to make public a broad range of information, including information that had been considered confidential like hospital privilege restrictions and medical malpractice settlements. The legislation arose from the tragic case of Michael Skolnik, who died after undergoing brain surgery. The surgeon had recently relocated to Colorado from Georgia after losing a medical malpractice suit based on the same surgery. The Georgia incident was not reported on his record in Colorado.
Under the "Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act," when Colorado health care providers apply for or renew a license, they must provide the following information:
- Any public disciplinary action taken against the applicant by any other state or country
- Any agreement whereby the applicant temporarily ceased or restricted practice
- Any involuntary limitation on the applicant's privilege to practice at a hospital or clinic
- Any involuntary surrender of the applicant's registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration
- Any final criminal conviction or plea arrangement connected to a felony or crime of moral turpitude in any state or country
- Any final judgment, settlement, or arbitration award for medical malpractice
