Tenn medical board takes virus misinformation policy offline

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's medical licensing board has voted to remove from its website its recently adopted policy against the spread of coronavirus misinformation by doctors, acting under pressure from a GOP state lawmaker and a new law imposing sprawling virus-related restrictions.

The exchange spurring Tuesday's vote by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners offers yet another example of how politicized actions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic have become. The move also stirred some confusion because board members said the policy still remains in force even though it's not posted online.

In September, the board adopted the policy, which says “physicians who generate and spread COVID-19 vaccine misinformation are risking disciplinary action by state medical boards.” It added that spreading inaccurate COVID-19 vaccine information contradicts ethical and professional responsibilities and "threatens to further erode public trust in the medical profession and puts all patients at risk."

The statement, which originates from the board of directors of the Federation of State Medical Boards, prompted a backlash from Republican Rep. John Ragan.

Ragan has argued that the change should have to go before the rulemaking oversight committee that he co-chairs. In late October, Republican lawmakers passed sprawling new coronavirus limitations, including one change that says any disciplinary process by a health board related to dispensing or prescribing medication for COVID-19 must go through the rulemaking process involving lawmakers.

Ragan sent the board letters telling the panel to remove the misinformation statement or testify before his committee. In a message obtained by The Tennessean, an attorney working with the board told its members that Ragan had “no...