Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin recently signed into law SB 726, establishing new telemedicine practice standards, including explicitly allowing doctors to create valid physician-patient relationships via telemedicine without an in-person exam. The new law is effective November 1, 2017. The bill creates a new section in the Oklahoma Code (Sections 478 and 478.1 of Title 59)….… Continue reading this entry

With the news of the newest international ransomware campaign that is currently affecting some organizations within the Health Care sector, it is important to not only educate staff on necessary precautions, but also be aware of steps to take in the instance you are infected by a ransomware attack. The following information was distributed  today…… Continue reading this entry

The Maine legislature passed with broad bipartisan approval L.D. 911, An Act to Prohibit Certain Gifts to Health Care Practitioners. The legislation prohibits gifts to practitioners who are licensed to prescribe and administer drugs by manufacturers, wholesalers, or agents of manufacturers or wholesalers of prescription drugs. What’s Excluded? Free samples of prescription drugs for patients…… Continue reading this entry

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, recently signed into law SB 213, clarifying that health professionals in Michigan may prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine without an in-person examination. The law reverses a 2016 telehealth bill that prevented providers from prescribing controlled substances via telehealth technologies. Under the new law, a health care professional treating a patient via…… Continue reading this entry

Indiana has taken another step towards expanding the meaningful use of telemedicine in connection with clinical services and prescribing. HB 1337, signed by Governor Eric Holcomb and effective July 1, 2017, will allow providers to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine without an in-person examination, albeit with some notable limitations and restrictions. The law reverses Indiana’s…… Continue reading this entry

The Legislation implementing the medical marijuana amendment Florida voters approved last fall is on its way to the Governor.  On June 9, 2017,  during a special session, the Florida Legislature passed SB 8A and SB 6A, implementing Article X, section 29 of the Florida Constitution.  Florida Governor Rick Scott is expected to sign both bills…… Continue reading this entry

Following a special session, the Florida Legislature on June 9, 2017 passed two important bills regarding medical marijuana in the Sunshine State: SB 8A and SB 6A. Together, these bills implement Article X, section 29 of the Florida Constitution, which was added after voters approved Amendment 2, expanding the medical use of marijuana for qualifying…… Continue reading this entry

With Congress returning to Washington, D.C. from its Memorial Day work period, Senators are focusing heavily on the timeline and details of legislation that would significantly alter the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Over the last week, many senior Senators have expressed skepticism regarding whether they can pass a bill, but Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell…… Continue reading this entry

Fresh off his noticeably smooth confirmation, the new Commissioner of Food and Drugs, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, appeared before Congress last Thursday and unveiled his strategic initiatives and priorities for the Trump Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).  These run the gamut from improving regulatory science and policies to streamlining clinical trials to spurring innovation on behalf…… Continue reading this entry

On August 4, 2017, the Florida Board of Medicine will hold a third public hearing to discuss its proposed amendment to Florida’s telemedicine practice rules regarding medical marijuana. The Board held two prior public hearings, after which it delayed implementation of the rule for further consideration. Notice of the upcoming public hearing comes only days…… Continue reading this entry