Opinion ID: 1237709
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: applicability of the statute

Text: Initially, Migliorino, Miller, and Defendants in the Haines case contend sec. 943.145, Stats., does not apply to the facilities in which they were arrested. Migliorino and Miller argue that the rules promulgated by the medical examining board only regulate physicians, not clinics or offices. Judge Doherty ruled the statute was applicable as did Judge McMahon when she denied Defendants' motion challenging the jury instruction regarding the definition of a medical facility. We agree with the circuit courts. The application of a statute to a set of facts is a question of law which this court reviews without deference to the circuit court's determination. Minuteman, Inc. v. Alexander, 147 Wis. 2d 842, 853, 434 N.W.2d 773 (1989). Section 943.145(1), Stats., defines the term medical facility for the statute. The statute is applicable to all medical facilities, whether publicly or privately owned. The issue in question here is whether the Affiliated Medical Services Clinic is subject to the rules promulgated by the medical examining board for the clinic or office that are in effect on November 20, 1985 as required in the statute. The Medical Examining Board regulates the performance of abortions in ch. 11 of its rules. Wisconsin Administrative Code, sec. Med. 11 (1984). Section 11.04 of the rules, which was in effect on November 20, 1985, provides in part: Med. 11.04 First 12 weeks of gestation. (1) If an abortion is to be performed by a physician during the first 12 weeks of gestation in a facility other than a hospital approved under s. 140.26, Stats., in which general surgical procedures are customarily performed, the physician shall: ... (b) Provide a receiving facility where the patient may be prepared and may receive necessary preoperative medication and observation... (e) Provide a physical place where the abortion procedure is carried out, and use techniques and procedures which assure proper sterility, asepsis, and antisepsis. (f) Provide for appropriate equipment and appropriately trained personnel for operative procedures, anesthesia, and resuscitation. (g) Have arrangements with a hospital approved under s. 140.26, Stats., for admission of patients needing hospital care. Such hospital shall be located sufficiently near the facility used so that the patient could be transferred to and arrive at the hospital within 30 minutes of the time when hospitalization appears necessary. (h) Provide a recovery facility where the patient can be observed until she has sufficiently recovered from the procedure and the anesthesia and can be safely discharged by the physician. (i) Provide for postoperative instructions and arrangements for follow-up. (j) Maintain at the facility adequate permanent records relating to all such patients covering the above matters. The complaint alleged the clinic was subject to the rules and Migliorino and Miller do not contend that abortions are not performed there. Rather they argue the rules only regulate physicians, not facilities. A physician, however, can only perform first trimester abortions in a facility where the requirements of section 11.04(b), (e), (g), (h) and (i), can be fulfilled. Hence, we conclude it regulates the facility where abortions are performed and therefore the statute is applicable. In Haines, Defendants also claim the Bread and Roses Women's Health Center was not subject to the statute and that the State failed to prove so at trial. The associate director of the clinic testified the clinic was a medical facility providing health services to women. Defendants concede there is no dispute that abortions are one of these health care services. As stated above, the medical examining rules apply to a facility where such procedures are performed and therefore the State has presented evidence which shows the facility is subject to the statute. [1] The Defendants in Haines also contend the statute only applies to clinics or offices which were in business on November 20, 1985, and subject to the Medical Examining Board's rules at that time. A plain reading of the statute indicates that the phrase are in effect on November 20, 1985, modifies the phrase the rules promulgated by the medical examining board and not the clinic or office. (The plural are is correct only with the noun rules and not the phrase clinic or office.) Hence, this argument is unpersuasive. In conclusion, we hold sec. 943.145, Stats., is applicable to the facilities in question here.