TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Physician Health Programs (PHPs) are supposed to help physicians with addiction problems recover, while protecting public safety. All too often, however, physicians are subjected to costly, burdensome, and unnecessary treatments, and regardless of successful treatment forever labeled “unclean,” writes Lawrence Huntoon, M.D., Ph.D., in the winter issue of the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), he writes, professionals should not be discriminated against based solely on a past history of a substance use disorder after successful treatment, maintenance of recovery, and no evidence of impairment. However, health professionals are considered “safety-sensitive” workers. The subjective interpretation of the terms “potential impairment” or “potential for harm” result in lowering the threshold for taking action against the worker and are thus subject to abuse.
The Federation of State Physician Health Programs (FSPHP) seeks to establish itself as the sole accrediting organization. Programs that meet their “standard of care” are likely to be highly remunerative, Dr. Huntoon points out. Physicians may be forced to endure a costly months-long inpatient stay at a remote “preferred” facility at their own expense—even if they were given a false diagnosis, Dr. Huntoon notes. Long-term intensive monitoring may also be required. Physicians may lose their ability to practice because of the stigma.
The ADA might offer some protection, but it is a very complicated area of the law. Dr. Huntoon recommends that engaging the services of an ADA-knowledgeable attorney early on may stop the process before irreparable harm is done. His article describes cases in which successful legal arguments have been made in demonstrating violation of ADA based on disability discrimination.
The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons is published by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.
Contact: Jane M. Orient, M.D., (520) 323-3110, janeorientmd@gmail.com
