Opinion: Why I believe random drug testing physicians is a bad idea (aka Prop 46)
In November, my state of California could become the first state to mandate all physicians to a random drug and alcohol testing, also known as Prop 46. If the new CA initiative gets made into law, it would require the state and medical board to oversee a drug- and alcohol-testing program. Random tests would be carried and facilitates by the physician's hospital. Secondly, physicians would also be tested when suspected of substance abuse or after an unexpected patient death or serious injury. Lastly, doctors would have to report colleagues to the medical board if they suspected drug or alcohol impairment on the job. If the doctor test positive, their medical license would be suspended, while their patients have to look for another physician.
In my opinion, a positive test result should not have to cost physicians their careers. Also, why aren’t physicians — or for that matter, all hospital personnel who have access to drugs — being randomly tested for drug use? Workers in other far less critical industries routinely face that type of random testing.
And why aren’t existing databases scanned to prevent over-prescribing? What’s their connection? Lawsuits!!!
Leave this one alone. It’s complicated, Prop 46 will send medical costs soaring and does nothing to improve health care.
... ain't nobody got time for that!
