The editorial "Peer Review Revisited" (Jan. 11) states that the California Assn. of Hospitals and Health Systems " . . . Agrees that the effect of the new federal law could pose problems next October."
CAHHS believes that existing California case and statutory laws on peer review are adequate. Based upon congressional intent and the federal statutes, CAHHS believes that the federal law will not cause problems in California. CAHHS concurs with Peter Budetti, M.D., counsel for the Health and Environment Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles), that: 1) the federal law is supplemental to (and not preemptive of) state laws and causes of action under state laws, 2) opting out of the federal law can occur at any time in the future (rather than before Oct. 14, 1989) and 3) the federal law supports, rather than supplants laws throughout the nation. Budetti advised CAHHS of the above positions on Jan. 12.
