Physician and surgeon assistance program.

Existing law, the Attorney Diversion and Assistance Act requires the establishment and administration of an Attorney Diversion and Assistance Program to provide services for the treatment and recovery of attorneys for the abuse of drugs or alcohol or mental illness, and who may be enrolled as inactive members of the State Bar. This bill would authorize establishment of a similar assistance program for physicians and surgeons. The bill would authorize the Medical Board of California to make available the means to rehabilitate a physician and surgeon with impairment due to abuse of dangerous drugs or alcohol, or mental or physical illness, that affects his or her competency so that a physician and surgeon may be treated in a manner that will not endanger the public health and safety. The bill would require the board, if the program is established, to contract with another entity for provision of the administrative services for the program. The bill would make participants in the program responsible for all expenses relating to treatment and recovery, and would authorize the board to charge a reasonable administrative fee to participants for the purpose of offsetting the costs of maintaining the program. The bill would require the board, if the program is established, to engage in outreach to make physicians and surgeons and others aware of the existence and availability of the program.