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Texas Medical Association Testimony: Senate Health and Human Services on Senate Bill 1331 by Sen. Jane Nelson
By John Jackson MD, Chair, TMA Committee on Physicians Health and Rehabilitation
Good morning, Senator Nelson and members of the committee, I am Dr. John Jackson of Fort Worth. I am chair of TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Rehabilitation. I am here today to speak both for myself and on behalf of the more than 44,000 physician members of the Texas Medical Association.
Senate Bill 1331 is more than good public policy. It is a sound but compassionate proposal to establish a program to help those physicians who may have alcohol or drugs addictions and other medical illnesses. The program will allow these physicians to enter and complete treatment for their illness and, equally as important, establish and maintain a monitored and structured program of recovery.
This proposal is modeled on successful statewide programs, which exist in 44 or 45 states. We also looked at existing programs administered by other Texas licensing boards.
Establishing the Texas Physician Health Program and attaching it to the Texas Medical Board accomplishes five important goals:
- The program will be a confidential, nondisciplinary therapeutic program for physicians and physician assistants.
- The program will be required to report to the board if the program’s medical director or the governing board determines that the physician or physician assistant if deems necessary, or fails to successfully participate in and complete the program.
- The program will ensure appropriate transparency and accountability with the Texas Medical Board, the physician assistant board, other state licensing boards, and other physician health and rehabilitation programs.
- The program will accept referrals from the medical board itself, self-reporting physicians themselves, concerned fellow physicians, hospitals, and others concerned about the health of a particular physician.
- The Texas Medical Association, the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association, and the Texas Medical Board have developed the program as a joint effort. Earlier identification and treatment – coupled with an effective program of monitored recovery – will allow those with treatable illnesses to return to the practice of medicine and the service of our patients.
The program also will be self-funded by user fees.
Again, thank you Senator Nelson and members of the committee for allowing me to speak today on this important issue. I would be happy to answer questions.
Last Published: 4/13/2009 Print this page
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