The Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act is a state law in the U.S. state of
Colorado
Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of t ...
, initially enacted in 2007 with an extension passed in 2010. The act mandates the disclosure of specific information by
healthcare providers to the public. These disclosures includes a physician's malpractice history, disciplinary actions, and educational background, thereby allowing patients to make
informed decisions regarding their choice of healthcare provider.
Background
The legislation is named in memory of Michael Skolnik, a 22-year-old nursing student who endured fatal complications from a surgical procedure performed by Dr. David Wayne Miller, a
neurosurgeon
Neurosurgery or neurological surgery, known in common parlance as brain surgery, is the medical specialty concerned with the surgical treatment of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord and peri ...
who had previous
medical malpractice
Medical malpractice is a legal cause of action that occurs when a medical or health care professional, through a negligent act or omission, deviates from standards in their profession, thereby causing injury or death to a patient. The negligen ...
history. Skolnik's parents asserted that the surgery, to remove a
brain cyst
A central nervous system cyst is a type of cyst that presents and affects part of the central nervous system (CNS). They are usually benign and filled with either cerebrospinal fluid, blood, or tumor cells. CNS cysts are classified into two catego ...
, was medically unnecessary, and that they would have chosen a different doctor had they been aware of the neurosurgeon's history.
[ The initial 2007 act solely targeted physicians, requiring them to complete online profiles to provide consumers in Colorado with relevant information about their medical practitioners.
]
Expansion
The scope of the act was broadened in 2010 when the Colorado legislature passed the Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act of 2010. This expansion expanding the profiling requirement beyond physicians to 22 additional licensure categories.
References
{{reflist
External links
Department of Regulatory Agencies Healthcare Professions Profiling Program
Colorado law
United States state health legislation
2010 in American law
2007 in American law
Healthcare in Colorado
Medical malpractice
2010 in Colorado
2007 in Colorado
Medical regulation in the United States