Michigan State will require ‘chaperones’ at some medical examinations after Larry Nassar case

Michigan State University has agreed to new requirements meant to protect patients from being sexually abused by their doctors following the high-profile Larry Nassar case.

The requirements are the result of the Department of Health and Human Services’s (HHS) investigation into Nassar, an MSU doctor who is serving life in prison for molesting young athletes, including several Olympic and U.S. National Team gymnasts.

{mosads}HHS will require that sensitive medical examinations at MSU be “chaperoned” by authorized members of a health team. During these examinations, patients must also be provided with an “appropriate gown” and privacy for undressing and dressing. 

MSU will also designate an official to coordinate the acceptance, investigation and resolution of complaints.

HHS will monitor MSU and its health entities for three years to ensure it is complying with the agreement. 

“We think this will go a long way to ensuring something like this will never happen again at MSU,” said Roger Severino, director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights, which led the investigation. 

HHS has the authority to impose these requirements because MSU receives federal health funding, Severino says. 

The departments of Justice and Education are also investigating MSU and Nassar.

Nassar, who abused patients during medical appointments, pleaded guilty last year to 10 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.