There is an extremely concerning piece of legislation that has recently been introduced and will be heard in Trenton (Assembly Health Committee) this coming Monday, September 23, 2024 at 10AM.
This bill targets YOU, as a healthcare professional and could have grave consequences for you, professionally and personally.
Please read the details and take action by contacting the relevant legislators by phone and/or email today. (We have included helpful instructions for you at the end of this email.)
Assembly bill A1884, introduced by Assemblyman Herb Conaway, Jr, threatens your license and your livelihood as it: “Establishes act of disseminating misinformation as professional misconduct for healthcare professionals.”
We trust that as you read the published text of the bill (link below) you will fully appreciate the gravity of the situation, but to be clear, this is an attempt to punish and/or eliminate any health care professional who treats or even advises even a single patient in a manner that is not approved by “consensus.”
This would include knowingly treating or advising outside of the official consensus (Defined as “Disinformation”) and also any treatment or advice which may be deemed to be factually incorrect, again according to “consensus.” (Defined as “Misinformation”)
Yes, this is as blatantly aggressive and dangerous as it sounds. Please don’t assume that someone else will defend reason, decency (and the livelihood you’ve worked so hard for.)
Become informed and take action now.
TAKE ACTION
1: Testify in person in Trenton
Assembly Health Committee Meeting
125 w State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Monday, September 23, 2024 at 10 AM.
2: Contact a committee aide and provide a personalized testimonial to be recited at the public Health Committee Meeting.
Dem Committee Aide – Victoria Levin 609-847-3500
Rep Committee Aide- Kevin Logan & Natalie Ghaul 609-847-3400
3: CLICK HERE to share this 1 click advocacy call-to-action with your patients and everyone you know!
4: Send a private template letter to the committee board members
Tell Committee Board members to vote NO. Please consider using this template letter to save you time in having to write one of your own. Edit it as you see fit. For additional convenience we have included Assembly Health Committee members and their contact information below.
Template letter #1:
Dear [Assembly Member’s Name],
As a healthcare professional dedicated to providing the best possible care to my patients, I am deeply concerned about the potential consequences of New Jersey Bill A1884, which seeks to classify the dissemination of “misinformation” as professional misconduct, subjecting healthcare providers to disciplinary action. While I understand the importance of combating the spread of harmful disinformation, I believe the bill, as written, could have unintended consequences that hinder medical practice and patient outcomes.
The bill defines “misinformation” as any health-related claim that is “false and contradicted by contemporary scientific consensus contrary to the standard of care.” However, medicine is not static. As a practitioner, I rely on the most current evidence-based practices, but I also understand that what is considered the “standard of care” or “scientific consensus” can evolve. In my practice, I have encountered numerous situations where individualized patient care requires adapting treatments based on clinical judgment, patient response, and emerging evidence that may not yet be widely accepted by the medical community.
For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how hospital protocols initially recommended treatments like intubation and remdesivir, which later proved to have adverse effects on many patients. Meanwhile, some of my colleagues who explored off-label medications or alternative interventions, despite these being outside the accepted “consensus” at the time, saw positive results. Should they have been subject to disciplinary action for using their clinical expertise to save lives? This bill risks penalizing providers who act in their patients’ best interests but who deviate from the prescribed consensus, even when such deviations are based on sound medical reasoning.
The term “disseminate,” as used in the bill, would limit the ability of healthcare professionals to provide individualized advice and treatment. In daily practice, I regularly have in-depth conversations with patients about their unique circumstances, explaining treatment options that may not always align with conventional standards but are tailored to their specific needs. This bill could make such conversations legally risky, potentially preventing me from offering my patients the most appropriate care for their situation.
The bill’s definition of “disinformation” as misinformation that is disseminated with “malicious intent or intent to mislead” is similarly problematic. Determining intent in a clinical setting is complex, and well-meaning professionals could face unjust scrutiny for offering care that falls outside the boundaries of the consensus, even when done in good faith and in the best interest of the patient.
As healthcare providers, we are committed to continuing education, staying informed of the latest scientific developments, and adjusting our practices accordingly. However, restricting us to the current consensus, without the ability to explore new or alternative methods, stifles the very innovation that drives medical progress. Many treatments we rely on today were once considered outside the consensus but became standard practice because brave practitioners took the risk of thinking differently.
Rather than adopting punitive measures that discourage clinical discretion, I believe a more effective approach would be to promote transparency, continued professional education, and the use of evidence-based guidelines while allowing flexibility in patient care. Open dialogue among medical professionals and regulatory bodies is essential for fostering trust and ensuring that patients receive the most informed and personalized care possible.
I urge you to consider the potential negative impact that Bill A1884 could have on healthcare providers and patients alike. While we all want to protect public health, this bill, as currently written, threatens the autonomy and judgment of medical professionals, ultimately harming the very people it aims to protect.
Thank you for your time and consideration regarding this critical issue. I hope you will oppose Bill A1884 and work toward legislation that better supports the goals of public safety while preserving the essential role of clinical judgment in medical practice.
Template 2 Letter (shortened version):
Dear [Assembly Member’s Name],
As a healthcare professional, I am writing to express my concern about Bill A1884, which classifies the dissemination of “misinformation” as professional misconduct. While I understand the intent to protect public health, I believe this bill could have serious unintended consequences.
The bill’s definition of “misinformation” as claims that contradict the “contemporary scientific consensus” risks penalizing healthcare professionals for exploring alternative or innovative treatments. Medicine is constantly evolving, and many successful treatments began outside the mainstream consensus. Restricting professionals to the standard of care without room for clinical discretion could stifle innovation and harm patients, especially those with complex conditions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how early consensus treatments, such as intubation and remdesivir, later proved harmful. Many practitioners who used off-label treatments achieved better results. Bill A1884 could discourage such adaptive care, limiting my ability to provide the best possible treatment for my patients.
Rather than punitive measures, I believe we should foster open dialogue and professional education to combat harmful disinformation while preserving medical autonomy. I urge you to reconsider this bill and its potential impact on healthcare providers and patient care.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Assembly Health Committee Members
Assemblyman Herb Conaway Jr., M.D.
Legislative District 7 (D)
Delran Professional Center
8008 Rt. 130 North, Bldg. C, Suite 450
(856) 461-3997
Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt
Legislative District 6 (D)
1101 Laurel Oak Rd., Suite 150
Voorhees, NJ 08043
(856) 435-1247
Assemblyman John Azzariti, M.D.
Legislative District 39 (R)
287 Kinderkamack Rd.
Westwood, NJ 07675
(201) 666-0881
Assemblywoman Margie Donlon
Legislative District D11 (D)
802 West Park Ave., Suite 302
Ocean Twp., NJ 07712
(732) 695-3371
Assemblywoman Shama A. Haider
Legislative District D37 (D)
96 Engle Street
Englewood, NJ 07631
(201) 308-7061
Assemblywoman Nurse Nancy Munoz
Legislative District D21 (R)
57 Union Place, Suite 310
Summit, NJ 07901
(908) 918-0414
Assemblyman Erik Peterson
Legislative District D23 (R)
28 Center Street
Clinton, NJ 08809
(908) 238-0251
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf
Legislative District D9 (R)
620 West Lacey Rd.
Forked River, NJ 08731
(609) 693-6700
Assemblywoman Shanique Speight
Legislative District D29 (D)
50 Park Place, Lobby 5
Newark, NJ 07102
(862) 862-9752
Assemblyman Chris Tully
Legislative District D38 (D)
205 Robin Rd., Suite 122
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 576-9199
Assemblyman Anthony S. Verrelli
Legislative District D15 (D)
144 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
(609) 292-0500
Full New Jersey Legislative Roster
Your efforts in this matter are greatly appreciated. Should this bill pass in committee, it will head to the General Assembly. So let’s get these messages out and let NJ legislators know you do not support this bill.
Thank you,
The Board of Directors at NJ Public Health Innovation Political Action Committee