News Release — October 29, 2004

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October 29, 2004

Medical Board of California Accusation Leads to
Surrender of South Lake Tahoe Physician's Medical License

SACRAMENTO—Facing a formal Accusation of wrongdoing by the Medical Board of California, South Lake Tahoe physician Joseph Simon, M.D., has surrendered his license to practice medicine. The stipulated surrender of his medical license was ordered on October 21, 2004 and became effective October 28, 2004.

The Medical Board accused Simon of being negligent in his care and treatment of nine patients, in violation of Business and Professions Code sections 2234(b), (c), (d) (gross negligence, repeated negligent acts and incompetence), 725 (excessive prescribing), 2242 (prescribing without a good faith exam), 2234 and 2241.5 (violations of Intractable Pain Act), 2238 (violation of drug statutes), and section 2241, and Health and Safety Code section 11156 (prescribing to an addict).

The accusation alleged that, despite complaints of depression or addiction, Simon failed to appropriately treat his patients or refer them to pain management medical consultants as required. In several instances, Simon prescribed highly addictive controlled substances without proper medical justification.

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The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.

If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.caldocinfo.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.

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