Ask the governor to support physician confidentiality; compassion centers hearings this month

Published: June 17, 2010

During the last week of session, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed S 2834, a proposal by Sen. Rhoda Perry that would add more explicit language to keep physician information confidential. This legislation is vital so that physicians will be comfortable continuing to recommend the best treatment option available to their patients. Gov. Don Carcieri has until June 24 to act on this bill. Please call him today to ask that he sign this bill into law!

This bill, and its House companion H 8172, sponsored by Rep. Scott Slater, was introduced in response to a staffer at the Rhode Island Department of Health leaking the names of physicians who wrote medical marijuana recommendations to the Providence Journal. Testimony taken during committee hearings on the bill revealed that some of the doctors whose identities were disclosed are no longer comfortable recommending medical marijuana to their patients, even though they may think it is the best course of treatment. This bill is necessary to keep Rhode Island’s medical marijuana program running as smoothly and efficiently as it has thus far.

In another bit of good news, the Department of Health has released the application materials for applicants for compassion center licenses. The Department of Health will be holding public hearings for comments on the applicants on Tuesday, June 29, at 10:00 a.m. This hearing will be located in the Department of Health Auditorium at 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, Rhode Island. If necessary, a continuation hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 30, at the same time and location.

Much thanks goes out to RIPAC and the Rhode Island ACLU for organizing testifiers in support of Sen. Perry’s bill. Call the governor and seek his support for physician confidentiality!

As always, many thanks.