Kern Bill to Ease Burden on Volunteer Physicians, Pharmacists

State Rep. Sally Kern filed a bill this session to make it easier for retired physicians and pharmacists to volunteer their time.

“Retired physicians and pharmacists should not have to pay licensing fees nor go to a lot of trouble just to be able to volunteer their time,” Kern said. “My bill makes pharmacists eligible for the special volunteer medical license that already exists for physicians.”

House Bill 1481 would also remove language that makes volunteer physicians and pharmacists liable if they do not obtain a written statement from patients stating awareness of the volunteer nature of the care.

“Getting a written statement from each patient is just another unnecessary hurdle,” Kern said. “Patients would certainly know whether or not they were paying for a service. I am concerned about discouraging volunteer efforts in a time when many Oklahomans are without health care. With this bill’s passage, pharmacists would not have to pay for a license just to be able to volunteer and an unnecessary requirement for both pharmacists and physicians would be dropped.”