North Dakota Board of Medicine expands Physician Health Program to former licensees

The Senate Workforce Development meeting held on February 20, 2025, focused on House Bill 1039, which aims to expand the Physician Health Program (PHP) in North Dakota. The session began with Sandra de Puntas, the executive director of the North Dakota Board of Medicine, presenting the bill to the committee.

De Puntas explained that the PHP has been in operation since 2015 as a separate entity from the Board of Medicine, providing a confidential and safe environment for medical professionals seeking treatment without fear of licensure repercussions. The program currently serves licensed individuals under the Board of Medicine, but recent legislative changes have allowed for its expansion to include medical and physician assistant students.

The key proposal of House Bill 1039 is to extend the PHP to former licensees who are no longer practicing due to various reasons, including disciplinary actions. De Puntas provided a hypothetical scenario where a medical professional might lose their license due to substance abuse. In such cases, the PHP would offer a pathway for these individuals to receive necessary treatment and support, ultimately facilitating their return to the workforce and potential reinstatement of their licenses.

De Puntas emphasized that the Board of Medicine can only utilize its funds as permitted by the legislature, which is why formal legislative approval is required for this expansion. The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions from committee members, highlighting the importance of the bill in supporting the health and rehabilitation of medical professionals in North Dakota.

Overall, the discussion underscored the commitment to providing resources for healthcare workers in need, aiming to enhance workforce stability and public safety in the medical field.