Establishes the category of "qualified group practice" for medical, dental and podiatric practices that comply with certain standards

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Gustavo Rivera says this is needed

Group practices have become the norm among physicians, dentists, and podiatrists varying in size from small groups to large organizations with hundreds of practitioners. As groups have expanded in size and sophistication, it is increasingly important to assure the quality of care is no longer solely the obligation of an individual provider but rather a group obligation to review outcomes and collaborate on improve- ments as a unified team. In 2011,"the Legislature granted accountable care organizations similar authority by deeming them to be a "hospital" solely for malpractice prevention programs under PHL § 2505-m and Educa- tion Law § 6527.3. See PHL § 2999-r. The NYS Court of Appeals in Logue V. Velez, 92 NY2d 13 (1998) explained the rationale for protecting the confidentiality of peer review informa- tion: "...The purpose of the discovery exclusion is to enhance the objectivity of the review process and to assure that medical review committees 'may and objectively analyze the quality of health services rendered' by hospitals..." The same rationale should apply to a medical, dental, or podiatric group practice that establishes a malpractice prevention program that meets standards set forth in PHL § 2805-j(a)-(g): (a) a quality assurance committee; (b) sanction procedures; (c) review of credentials and compe- tence; (d) prompt resolution of patient grievances; (e) collection of information about negative outcomes, premiums, settlements, awards, etc.; (e) procedural recordkeeping; and (g) education programs on patient safety, injury prevention, etc. Across the country, neatly half of states protect the confidentiality of peer review activities by medical group practices other than hospitals. This bill would encourage group practices to meet these rigorous standards and improve patient care.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.