Valued Voice

The Wisconsin Medical Examining Board (MEB) on Dec. 21 unanimously recommended adoption of final proposed rule language regarding physician chaperone policies during routine sensitive examinations. The adopted proposed rule language incorporated changes developed by the Wisconsin Hospital Association, MEB Chair Sheldon Wasserman MD, and Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) staff following the MEB’s public hearing on the proposed rule in November. 
 
“I very much want to reach out and thank the Wisconsin Hospital Association. They were indispensable in making this happen,” said Chair Wasserman. “Our meeting went extremely well, and you saw the final product today. Working with them clarified and really focused some of the language we needed.” 
 
During requested comments, Matthew Stanford, WHA General Counsel, thanked Chair Wasserman and DSPS staff for their work in advancing the final proposed chaperone rule language. 
 
“The adopted rule is the right step forward to protect patients and provides a good and clear framework for physicians,” said Stanford.
 
The final adopted version of the proposed rule incorporates feedback WHA received from WHA’s Physician Leaders Council over the past 18 months as the MEB has considered multiple versions of the proposed rule.
 
“Having the opportunity to sit down with Chair Wasserman and DSPS attorney Whitney was essential to getting to the rule intent the MEB has been striving to achieve,” noted Ann Zenk WHA Senior Vice President Workforce and Clinical Practice, “and we are happy WHA could be of assistance to MEB in getting to a good outcome.”
 
The proposed rule will now be advanced for the Governor’s approval in early 2023, followed by an opportunity for the Legislature to review the proposed rule. Based on statutory rulemaking timelines, the rule will not become a final published rule until at least early spring 2023.