Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

Vote ‘No’ on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

Interstae Medical Licensure CompactAs of July 2017, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) is in force in 22 U.S. states. Developed by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), the IMLC is a legally binding agreement that was created to facilitate the licensing of physicians across state lines. It establishes qualifications for licensure and defines the process by which an experienced physician can obtain a license to practice medicine in a state in which he or she is not currently licensed. The stated aim of the IMLC is to increase access to healthcare for patients in rural and underserved areas, giving them the ability to connect with medical experts at a distance through telemedicine.

State legislators who are called to vote on the IMLC have several reasons to be wary, however. Opposition to the Compact comes from a wide range of parties, a red flag indicating that – while it may sound good in theory – the Compact is rife with problems as it is currently written. Perhaps most alarmingly, the IMLC by its very language and without justification prohibits a large population of otherwise well qualified doctors from applying. Specifically, only physicians who belong to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Osteopathic Association’s Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists (AOABOS) are allowed to participate in the Compact. By joining the IMLC, a state thus actively put tens of thousands of doctors in America at a competitive disadvantage. The ABMS and the AOABOS are private organizations that should not be permitted to engage in monopolistic practices at the expense of many perfectly well qualified doctors and other established physician credentialing bodies. Indeed, it is a common complaint among state legislatures currently considering joining the IMLC that it is written too self-interestedly. Physicians with ABMS or AOABOS credentials should not be the only ones who can practice telemedicine across state lines. The IMLC’s goal of broadening access to healthcare for inhabitants of rural areas is undercut by the inherently exclusionary language of the legislation.

The 28-page Compact has other serious deficiencies. For example, it erodes state sovereignty by reducing each member state’s control over physician licensing. The IMLC establishes a Commission made up of two representatives from each adopting state. This Commission yields considerable power and even has the authority to promulgate rules that supersede a member state’s medical practice act. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an influential coalition of state legislatures, has voiced strong opposition to the IMLC for its ability to trample on well-established areas of state concern. The text of the IMLC – contrary to claims proffered by its supporters – significantly undermines a member state’s ability to govern the practice of medicine within its borders.

State legislators are urged to see the IMLC for what it truly is. Though seemingly a welcome development, the IMLC will have the effect of weakening a member state’s legislative powers. And, it will do so completely without proof that it will achieve its goal of increasing access to care for rural area inhabitants. The creation of yet another highly bureaucratic private organization does not benefit doctors, nor states, nor patients. Voting “no” on the IMLC when the opportunity arises is a vote against an ill-considered agreement that produces far more questions than answers.

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
Plan Your Visit. Meeting Information
Patient Care Is Our Priority

Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
Meet Our Staff Read All Reviews
Boards
Careers
Login
Contact