The state Board of Medical Examiners has appealed a judge’s order to the Iowa Supreme Court. At issue is the board’s discipline of doctors who do a poor job of treating patients, behave inappropriately, bill unethically, use alcohol or drugs themselves, or break the law.
The board gets reports from hospitals, patient complaints, insurance companies, the pharmacy board, Medicare, the daily news and other sources. It’s charged with investigating those reports and complaints, and if they prove to be founded, with disciplining the doctors, including osteopaths and acupuncturists.
A Polk County Judge told the board to quit releasing information about allegations against doctors until a final decision is made but on Monday the board appealed that order to the state supreme court, saying the title of a charge doesn’t tell prospective patients enough about what their doctor’s accused of. The Iowa Freedom of Information Council joined the board in its appeal.