The COVID-19 Coronavirus Proves We Should End Occupational Licensing
The COVID-19 Coronavirus response proved we should end occupational licensing and regulation of doctors and nurses by the government. The response also demonstrates why it was a mistake to put such licensing and regulatory schemes in place to begin with. Because of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, New York asked doctors and nurses to come help care for patients. Each state has it’s own licensing for medical professionals, as well as individuals in many other professions. Because of this, unless there is an exception made, usually because of an emergency such as the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, someone licensed in one state cannot practice in another state until and unless they are licensed there.
Medical procedures are the same no matter where you are. Sometimes there is a new method or new technology, but those soon spread and others adopt their use. Medical journals and other sources are great at keeping doctors and nurses up to date, as long as they take the time to study and learn.
Who Should Set The Standards For Occupational Licensing Or Credentialing?
As it stands, the Federal Government actually sets the standards for, and governs, medical standards and training. The main thing the states do through occupational licensing is give permission to practice medicine within their borders. This control goes back to the Civil War. Purportedly, it is because people were saying they were doctors and nurses without proper training, but some may wonder if the real reason wasn’t something more visceral based in enmity between the Union and Confederacy. The states are exerting control simply for the sake of exerting control.
The Federal Government duplicates the work of others when they set standards and govern training! The American Medical Association (AMA) already does this! According to their website:
AMA Credentialing Services provides comprehensive information on physicians (both MD and DO) and physician assistants (PA). Our trusted and comprehensive data meets select credentialing requirements of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), The Joint Commission, HFAP, DNV-GL, NCQA and AAAHC…
AMA Website
To be fair, the AMA may not do exactly what it is the Federal Government is doing, but it sounds like they are most of the way there! It shouldn’t be too hard to let them take it over completely, and to include credentialing for nurses as well! Besides, who is better qualified to decide who is appropriately trained and capable of being a doctor, other doctors, or some politician or civil servant who have never attended a day of medical training?
Certification: This Is The (SHRM) Way
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is a membership association that certifies Human Resource Professionals. They set their own standards, and HR Professionals can choose whether to go through the certification process. Those who have gone through the process get to put letters after their name just like a doctor does. Many employers specify a preference or a requirement that an applicant for an HR job should be certified through SHRM.
While it is obvious there are differences in the jobs of a brain surgeon and a recruiter, for example, the same principles and system, or at least a similar system, can and should be used. Someone looking for a doctor should be able to check their credentials. If they are certified through the AMA, you should be able to trust they can do their job safely and effectively. If not, you can choose not to go to them.
Occupational Licensing Stifles Competition And Innovation
Perhaps another rival organization would also set up credentialing for medical professionals. Yay! Competition! Competition feeds innovation! Competing credentialing bodies would encourage higher standards and lower costs. If a doctor is credentialed through both, that should be an indicator they are a very capable, well trained doctor and can be trusted.
Between 25 and 30 percent of jobs require an occupational license. Yes, this includes occupations like doctors, electricians, and social workers. It also includes more egregious and ridiculous examples such as barbers, hair braiders, commercial fishermen, mobile home installers, auctioneers, and milk samplers. Do you think this makes sense? These occupations should be free of governmental occupational licensing. Instead, let each occupation set their own standards and credentialing if they wish. Let there be competition. Let consumers and the market decide.
Doctors and nurses can do their job in any state in an emergency, as we have learned from the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Occupations are pretty much the same anywhere. Government licensing only serves to stand in the way of credentialing by the people who actually do the job and know what it takes. Government licensing simply brings in money for the government and artificially constricts the market, interfering with prices and innovation. We need to end licensing and regulation of occupations by the government and let them set their own standards.
Garrett Leeds is the founder of the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Project
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