[This podcast provides the overview of the NCMB Performance Audit. Since publishing it, and as it was so well received, I decided to go deeper into each of the topics covered here. Consequently, I’ve decided to post a series of articles and podcast episodes of the same name; to make it easy to distinguish, they’ll be named NCMB Performance Audit Part 1 [2, 3 …] and continue through the full sequence. As this is so timely, I thought it best to post several a week to cover all the interwoven aspects. Each of the articles has an array of footnotes that offer additional resources and important commentary. Please refer to the articles for the footnotes. The podcast script follows the articles quite closely so you can listen and follow along. I believe the audit and NCMB’s non-cooperation are of critical importance to all docs and medical professionals, in NC and throughout the country. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe.]
The NC State Auditor tried over the past year to conduct a performance audit of the NC Medical Board’s Investigations Division. As you’ll discover, they blocked access on mostly specious grounds.
This podcast explores the serious implications of this.
It could result in a showdown between the legislature and the auditor. While it may not be apparent to most, even those who’ve followed Center for Physician Rights and Physician Interrupted’s periodic analyses of state medical boards and physician health programs, I sense that this standoff has immense implications for all of the parties involved. It could be instrumental not only in holding NCMB accountable but in newly defining the limits of their authority and immunity.
Should the audit reveal civil or criminal violation of federal law, the financial implications for the board and the state are quite significant. The legislature may not want the auditor to probe NCMB’s workings as, should violations be found, the state could end up footing a chunky bill. And if NCMB is not overseen by a designated state official, then maybe responsibility - and liability - fall to the Board.
No party will be unaffected by the outcome of this matter. There is much to be learned here.
Here’s a link to the audit.
NC Medical Board Thwarts State Audit - Overview