ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) today announced its support of the Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2007 (H.R. 2260). This bi-partisan legislation was introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. John Sullivan (R-OK) and Jim McDermott, MD (D-WA).
“We applaud Reps. Sullivan and McDermott for introducing this pro-patient legislation,” said Roxanne Guy, MD , ASPS president. “We strongly endorse it and feel the Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2007 will help prevent deceptive practices, such as non-qualified practitioners misrepresenting their training.”
This legislation would prohibit misleading and deceptive advertising and require non-physicians to clearly identify their profession in advertisements.
“It is only natural for consumers to expect that surgical procedures, complex medical issues, and prescribing medications are performed by medical doctors or doctors of osteopathic medicine,” said Scot Glasberg, MD, ASPS governmental affairs council chair. “This bill will help avoid consumer confusion and protect against inappropriately delivered medical care.”
The Healthcare Truth and Transparency Act of 2007 specifically addresses advertising in any medium, such as making false statements regarding the education, skills, training or licensure of medical professionals in a manner that causes the public, a potential patient or a current patient to mistakenly believe that such person is a medical doctor or doctor or osteopathic medicine.
“Unfortunately, there are abundant examples of this type of deceptive advertising across the country, which ultimately place consumers at risk for receiving medical treatments from unqualified practitioners,” said Dr. Guy. “ASPS is committed to upholding the highest patient education standards to ensure patient safety and we feel this bill will make a significant contribution in these efforts.”
The federal legislation would create a national, uniform policy and authorize federal enforcement against misleading health care provider advertising to help ensure that, no matter where they live, consumers are not misled about the qualifications of their healthcare professionals.
Visit www.plasticsurgery.org, for referrals to ASPS Member Surgeons and to learn more about cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. With more than 6,000 members, the Society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the Society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Print this page