STATE ROOM 4061 - CH-NR SACRAMENTO. CA 95814 BUSINESS. PROFESSJONS AND [916] 651-4028 61 1* ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FAX (915; 323-6056 3 I 51 91131 MEMBER DISTRICT OFFICE 2512 ARTESIA BLVD. SUITE 320 GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION REOONOO BEACH, CA 902?8 SENATOR INSURANCE 3135994 TED wa LIEU VETERANS AFFAIRS FAX (310) 318-8733 TWENTY-EIGHTH SENATE DISTRICT . July 10, 2013 Sharon Levine, M.D. President, Medical Board of California 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1200 Sacramento, CA 95815 Dear Dr. Levine: An investigation by the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) found 148 female inmates were sterilized without state approval between 2006 and 2010. The CIR story also describes incidents in which inmates were forced or coerced into "consenting" for tubal ligations. One situation occurred when a doctor asked his patient to agree to a tubal ligation when she was sedated and strapped to an operating table for a C-section. Other incidents involved doctors repeatedly harassing and pressuring inmates to get tubal ligations. Particularly troubling was a statement by Dr. James Heinrich, at Valley State Prison, who made a reference that tubal ligations on inmates "save in welfare paying for these unwanted children as they procreated more." We are writing to request the Medical Board to investigate the practices and conduct of the physicians involved in tubal ligations at California state prisons. A physician's sole and only concern should be that of the patient. Whether a surgical procedure would have any hypothetical effect on welfare rolls should never, ever play a part in a doctor's decision. Physicians are also expected to "First, do no harm" to their patients. Physicians are required to get actual a coerced performing a surgical procedure on a patient, especially in the case of a tubal ligation, which can have life altering effects and is largely irreversible. The CIR story raises troubling allegations that doctors violated state law, disregarded ethical guidelines, and fell well below the standard of care. Physicians licensed in California are required to follow California laws and regulations, and are subject to the regulatory authority of the Medical Board. We ask that you investigate the physicians involved in unapproved female inmate sterilizations at California state prisons and determine whether any disciplinary actions or license revocations are warranted. We also request that you provide Page 2 the Legislature with recommendations to ensure unauthorized surgical procedures on patients never happen again. . Sincerely, (.4 ul TED W. LIEU - - Chair, nate Committee on Busi s, Professions. Economic Development HANNAH-BETH CKSO Vice-Chair, California Legisla ve Women's Caucus NOREEN EVANS Chair, Senate Committee on Judiciary Former Chair, California Legislative Women's Caucus