In doing more research I found this example of the subtle way that our Colorado Medical Board (CMB) is slowly dehumanizing our medical system and evolving it into a corporate industry.
My source is “The Colorado Medical Board Abolished The Hippocratic Duties” written by Dr. Horiagon MD MOccH October 10th, 2015
He starts his story:
“In the wake of complaints about Colorado physicians involved in occupational medicine and other types of "forensic" practice who violated the Colorado Medical Practice Act Policy 40-3 addressing the doctor-patient relationship, the Colorado Medical Board, without much notice, essentially eliminated the duties embodied in the Hippocratic (and other professional medical oaths) to accommodate corporate interests.”
Then he presents the before and after of CMB 40-3 Policy Statement and I must say it’s creepy the way the thing got artfully watered down. (Green background represents the old policy statement, pink is the revised version.)
Here is the original policy:
40-3 Policy Statement Regarding the Physician/Patient Relationship
Date Issued:
11/13/97
Date(s) Revised:
7/1/10
And here is the new policy:
40-3 Policy Statement Regarding the Provider/Patient
Date Issued: 11/13/97
Date(s) Revised: 7/1/10; 8/20/15
Purpose: To clarify the Colorado Medical Board’s position concerning the physician/patient relationship
Purpose: To clarify the Colorado Medical Board’s definition of, and position concerning the provider/patient relationship
POLICY: The following statement reflects the policy of the Colorado Medical Board regarding the physicians it licenses.
POLICY: The Colorado Medical Board (“Board”) adopts the following policy regarding the provider patient
relationship:
A Colorado physician has both medical-legal and ethical obligations to his or her patients. These are well established in both law and professional tradition.
The prevailing model of medical practice, as it is implemented by some plans, may result in an inappropriate restriction of the physician's ability to practice quality medicine. This may create negative consequences for the public. It is incumbent that physicians take those actions they consider necessary to assure that the procedures in question do not adversely affect the care that they render to their patients
{Why would the fundamental principles summarized in that paragraph be eliminated?}
