Bill changing doctor notification law passes

By: Associated Press//March 20, 2014//

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin state law covering information doctors are required to tell patients would be expanded under a bill that has passed the state Assembly.

The Legislature last year changed the law to no longer require doctors to give patients as much information about available alternative treatments.

The bill approved Thursday would expand the “informed consent” law to apply to chiropractors, dentists, podiatrists and optometrists.

The change was made in reaction to a 2012 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that said a doctor’s “informed consent” duty includes telling a patient about medical tests and treatments that may be appropriate for a patient’s symptoms, even if the doctor doesn’t believe the patient has the underlying condition or disease.

The bill now goes to Gov. Scott Walker.

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