California implements referral ban
California Gov. Pete Wilson this month signed legislation banningphysician self-referral throughout the state. The Physician Ownershipand Referral Act of 1993 (AB 919) requires physicians to divestfinancial interests in facilities to which they refer by
California Gov. Pete Wilson this month signed legislation banningphysician self-referral throughout the state. The Physician Ownershipand Referral Act of 1993 (AB 919) requires physicians to divestfinancial interests in facilities to which they refer by January1995 (SCAN 9/16/93).
The legislation was sponsored by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier(D-San Mateo), who succeeded in passing a ban on self-referralin the workers' compensation system earlier in the year (SCAN7/28/93).
Wilson this month also signed AB 2259, the Mobile Health CareServices Act of 1993. The law requires mobile imaging centersto receive state licenses before they can begin operation (SCAN9/16/93 and 8/25/93). Mobile firms initially opposed the legislationbut withdrew their opposition after changes were made in the act'slanguage.