WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW: Update on Possible Merger of BOLIM and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure

LD 805: Resolve, to Direct the Board of Licensure in Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure to Conduct a Study Regarding the Feasibility of Combining Those Boards

The Board of Licensure in Medicine (BOLIM) and the Board of Osteopathic Licensure (BOL) have jointly submitted a resolve to the legislature to consider the feasibility of merging the boards. On March 19, 2025, the committee of jurisdiction voted unanimously that the bill ought not to pass.  However, it also directed that a letter be sent to the boards directing them to continue the process of studying feasibility and present recommendations to the committee in January 2026.

Although separate entities, BOLIM and BOL have a history of working collaboratively on many projects, including database systems to allow participation in compacts and have a number of joint rules.

Prior to the legislation being introduced, BOLIM and BOL had already started a joint work group to discuss issues related to a possible merger.

The first meeting occurred on January 28, 2025, and topics discussed included:

• Representation of MD, DO, PA, and Public Members on a combined board;
• Board structure and number of members;
• Staffing and salaries;
• The name of a combined board;
• The difference in approach to care and investigations;
• Disparities in licensing processes; and
• The reason for the change.

BOL members expressed concern that current staffing levels at BOL may affect its ability to carry out its mission of protecting the health and safety of Maine residents. There was also discussion that merging the boards would reflect how the practice of medicine has evolved to be a collaborative practice. A merger would enhance public protection and provide a consistent set of rules and standards for professionals who work side by side.

The second work group meeting was held on February 26, 2025. The focus of this meeting was a presentation by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) on the history of separate boards and the trends toward merging medical and osteopathic boards. Maine is currently one of only 12 states that have separate medical and osteopathic boards.

In addition, FSMB discussed its Guidelines for the Structure and Function of a State Medical and Osteopathic Board, and different models of regulation that Maine may be able to take advantage of as a combined board.

The next work group meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2025, and will include presentations from several state organizations, including the Maine Medical Association, Maine Osteopathic Association, Maine Academy of Physician Associates, and the Maine Hospital Association. These presentations will allow the work group to hear concerns and issues that may need to be addressed if a merger were to move forward.

All meetings are open to public viewing and notices are posted on BOLIM’s home page at www.maine.gov/md.