Two Texas bills that appear to be pro-physician are facing criticism after being opposed by the Texas Medical Association and the discovery of financial relationships between physicians and the bills' authors, according to a Texas Tribune report.
Rep. Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) has filed a bill seeking stricter objective standards to remove and discipline physicians. It would allow physicians a way back onto the Workers' Compensation Approved Doctor List following their removal or suspension. It would also apply to physicians suspended or punished by the Texas Medical Board. Rep. Fred Brown (R-Bryan) has filed a bill to ban anonymous complaints against physicians and ban the Medical Board from directing how physicians prescribe off-label drugs or treatments.
While there are elements of both bills it supports, the TMA has said some of the provisions go too far to protect bad physicians. Other healthcare observers say Rep. Brown's bill is strikingly similar to the concerns of its largest proponent, Steve Hotze, MD, a physician known for nontraditional treatments. Dr. Hotze also runs a political action committee called Conservative Republicans of Texas and contributed at least $640,000 to GOP House and Senate in the last election cycle.
Critics of Rep. Zedler's bill say his bill may be catered to his campaign contributors Rep. Zedler obtained records from the Medical Board on five physicians, two of whom gave him a combined contribution of $25,000 for his campaign. The physicians had been accused of egregious treatment violations.
Read the Texas Tribune report on Rep. Bill Zedler and Rep. Fred Brown.
Read more about physicians and malpractice:
- When Hospitals Restrict MD Privileges, States Don't Follow Up
- Obstetricians Reduce Medical Malpractice Payouts by Nearly 100% at New York-Presbyterian Hospital
Rep. Bill Zedler (R-Arlington) has filed a bill seeking stricter objective standards to remove and discipline physicians. It would allow physicians a way back onto the Workers' Compensation Approved Doctor List following their removal or suspension. It would also apply to physicians suspended or punished by the Texas Medical Board. Rep. Fred Brown (R-Bryan) has filed a bill to ban anonymous complaints against physicians and ban the Medical Board from directing how physicians prescribe off-label drugs or treatments.
While there are elements of both bills it supports, the TMA has said some of the provisions go too far to protect bad physicians. Other healthcare observers say Rep. Brown's bill is strikingly similar to the concerns of its largest proponent, Steve Hotze, MD, a physician known for nontraditional treatments. Dr. Hotze also runs a political action committee called Conservative Republicans of Texas and contributed at least $640,000 to GOP House and Senate in the last election cycle.
Critics of Rep. Zedler's bill say his bill may be catered to his campaign contributors Rep. Zedler obtained records from the Medical Board on five physicians, two of whom gave him a combined contribution of $25,000 for his campaign. The physicians had been accused of egregious treatment violations.
Read the Texas Tribune report on Rep. Bill Zedler and Rep. Fred Brown.
Read more about physicians and malpractice:
- When Hospitals Restrict MD Privileges, States Don't Follow Up
- Obstetricians Reduce Medical Malpractice Payouts by Nearly 100% at New York-Presbyterian Hospital