In this past legislative session, legislation introduced at the request of the Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians was enacted prohibiting maintenance of certification from being used as a condition of medical licensure in Maine. MMA supported the amended version of the bill. Other states have proposed and enacted similar prohibitions including some which would impact credentialing by health plans and medical staffs. Without discussion and collaboration throughout the federation, these legislative activities can be expected to continue and expand. The exorbitant costs of the MOC process, the lack of transparency from some of the certifying boards and the issue of relevancy of exams to everyday practice all create conflict and may lead to unintended consequences.
The joint letter going to the ABMS and the boards will be available on the MMA website once it is finalized, sent and received.