BORIM Mass Mailings
Overview
Board of Registration in Medicine Sept 29, 2021 instructions to physicians regarding issuing vaccine exemptions. The board instructed physicians to only issue exemptions under “acceptable standards of care.” This is a legal term regarding best practices, which however, are not actually written anywhere.
Response
Request
Tue, Oct 19, 9:36 AM
RE: Public Records Request #BORIM-01-2021
To: Tara Douglas, Primary RAO, Dan Kumin, Secondary RAO, Rob Harvey, Secondary RAO
Business address: 200 Harvard Mill Square, Suite 330, Wakefield, MA 01880
Business telephone number: 781-876-8200
Business email: BORIM.RAO@state.ma.us
We would like to understand what instructions the Board of Registration in Licensing has given to doctors on the appropriate issuing of medical exemptions for vaccination. This matter is of vital public interest to citizens across the Commonwealth, who are rightfully concerned about the quality of their medical care and the integrity of their doctor-patient relationship.
We would like to request the following public records:
All mass mailings sent by BORIM that mention medical exemptions for vaccinations in the following date range: May 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021. We define a mass mailing as a written communication sent to 100+ people. Please include both emails and physical letters in your records search.
We would like these records electronically. We also request you to waive all fees as this matter is of the highest importance to citizens across the state. We plan to publish this information to multiple grassroots groups totaling over 10,000 concerned residents of our beloved state of Massachusetts.
Sincerely,
[NAMES REDACTED]
BORIM letter to physicians
Physicians who grant vaccination or mask exemptions must have a physician-patient relationship with the person who is the subject of the exemption and a legitimate medical reason supporting an exemption. A physician who grants an exemption outside the acceptable standard of care may be subject to discipline. The standard of care applicable is the same whether the patient is seen in person or through telemedicine, as set forth in the guidance located at https://www.mass.gov/news/the-massachusetts-board-of- registration-in-medicine-guidance-on-covid-exemptions.
Please visit the Board website for additional information https://www.mass.gov/orgs/board-of- registration-in-medicine.
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine
The guidance referenced in this letter is actually a restatement of the letter itself. So what are the possible standards of care?