A former central Iowa physician who allegedly admitted using cocaine daily before entering treatment is arguing in court that efforts to suspend his license threaten his livelihood and would be “the kiss of death” for his medical practice in California.
According to the Iowa Board of Medicine, Dr. Chad Becker, who once practiced at UnityPoint Health’s Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, admitted routinely consuming an excessive amount of drugs and/or alcohol prior to 2022, resulting in a referral to the Iowa Physician Health Program for treatment.
According to the board, Becker ultimately chose not to comply with the program’s requirements and so the issue of his substance abuse was referred back to the board in November 2022…