TMB

Strengthen and Renew the Texas Medical Board - 03/13/2019

First, TMA and our physician members support a strong Board, a strong agency – but one that is fair and transparent. We believe this bill advances these principles for both the public and the profession. At the same time, we would favor the inclusion of three items we believe are consistent with the bill and provide some clarity.

Does Hospital Plan to Give CRNAs Autonomy? - 10/12/2018

The Texas Society of Anesthesiologists is questioning a Corpus Christi hospital’s decision to replace its long-time anesthesiology team with a group it says appears ready to give certified registered nurse anesthetists more autonomy than Texas law allows.

Keep Them From Harm and Injustice? - 10/01/2018

Fear remains a major barrier to transparency of hospital errors.

TMA Legislative News Hotline: Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 - 07/10/2018

Special Session Ends; TMB Renewed

TMA Legislative News Hotline: Friday, Aug. 4, 2017 - 07/10/2018

TMA noted concerns on House Bill 204, by Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Houston), which would mandate electrocardiograms for all high school student athletes. TMA instead supports national standardized screening procedures and evidence-based guidelines. HB 204 was heard in the House Public Education Committee earlier this week and left pending.

TMA Legislative News Hotline: Friday, Aug. 11, 2017 - 07/10/2018

TMB Renewal Avoids Doomsday Scenario — Finally

Rio Grande Valley Internist Appointed to TMB - 06/18/2018

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed internist Robert David Martinez, MD, of Mission to the Texas Medical Board for a term set to expire April 13, 2019.

Cleanup, Recovery Continue in Harvey-Affected Areas - 05/10/2018

Since Hurricane Harvey slammed the Texas Coast on Aug. 25, state agencies have deployed resources to the affected areas, health plans have made policy changes, millions of dollars have been raised through donations, and thousands of Texas physicians have put in extra time and effort to address the public health concerns.

TMB Names Former County Judge as Executive Director - 05/02/2018

The Texas Medical Board has named former Orange County Judge Stephen Brint Carlton as executive director effective April 23.

Allow Interstate Compact for Medical Licensure - 04/27/2018

Support House Bill 661 by Zerwas: The goal of the legislation is to make it easier for qualified physicians to obtain medical licensure in multiple states…. in an expedited, streamlined manner. This may have a number of benefits, including increasing physician participation in telemedicine care. And it may well increase our ability to attract physicians to relocate and practice in our state.

Give the Texas Medical Board Another 12-Year Lease on Life - 04/27/2018

TMA supports HB 3040 by Rep. Burkett. Like all sunset bills, this bill would reauthorize the Texas Medical Board for another 12 years.

Texas Medical Board - 04/27/2018

Texas Medical Board

TMA: Medical Board Should Stop Hiding Experts’ Reviews of Complaints - 04/27/2018

The Texas Medical Board should provide more information to physicians when it investigates complaints against them and needs more flexibility when imposing sanctions, the president of the Texas Medical Association said yesterday.

Practice Management Presentations by Request - 03/07/2018

TMA Practice Management Services can provide private, on-site presentations to your practice, group, or meetings upon request. TMA staff, and experts from across the state of Texas, speak on topics such as financial management, practice operations, human resources, and communication skills. Most presentations by request offer CME credit, and may include ethics credit.

Under Attack, MOC Boards Pledge Changes - 02/12/2018

Facing a revolt among their diplomates, the boards that run maintenance of certification programs have run up a white flag.

Informal Continuing Medical Education Documentation Record - 09/18/2017

Informal Continuing Medical Education Documentation Record

Medical Board Renewed; Special Session Ends - 08/28/2017

The 85th Texas Legislature returned to Austin July 18 for its first called special session. Senate and House members, led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Joe Straus, have 30 days to address the 20 topics identified by Gov. Greg Abbott starting with the Texas Medical Board sunset bill and other sunset legislation.

Committee on Physician Health and Wellness Courses - 06/09/2017

The Committee on Physician Health and Rehabilitation functions under the TMA Board of Councilors as an advocacy group to promote the health and well-being of physicians, and encourage early intervention and care of physicians who are impaired. List of Committee on Physician Health and Rehabilitation Courses

Sunset Commission Calls for Mandatory Pain Med History Checks - 02/22/2017

In its Report to the 85th Legislature the Sunset Advisory Commission recommends breathing 12 more years of life into the Texas Medical Board and goes into great detail about TMB's oversight of physicians who prescribe "extremely addictive and dangerous drugs, particularly drugs designed for patients with chronic pain, as some of these drugs contribute to an epidemic of addiction and overdose throughout the country." The commission recommends "the board target its inspections of pain management clinics toward the top prescribers, that the board more effectively monitor prescribing patterns through the newly enhanced Prescription Monitoring Program (PDMP), and that physicians and physician assistants be required to search the program and review a patient's prescription history before prescribing dangerous pain medications."

Sunset Review of TMB Fails to Address Disciplinary Process Improvements - 12/01/2016

In comments to the Sunset Advisory Commission on its 2016–17 review of the Texas Medical Board (TMB), TMA says one important matter is disappointingly absent from the agency's thorough and detailed report: improving TMB's disciplinary process. While TMA generally supports the sunset staff's report, the association says more could be done to ensure effective operations at the medical board.

TMA Backs Definition of Emergency in Obstetrical Case - 10/11/2016

Last month, TMA signed on to the Texas Alliance for Patient Access' (TAPA's) friend-of-the-court brief to support the application of the willful and wanton standard in a lawsuit involving emergency obstetrical care. TMA, TAPA, and other signatories contend emergency care provisions apply to medical care provided in an obstetrical unit without the pregnant patient first having been evaluated in a hospital's emergency department.

TMB Adopts Call Coverage Rules - 10/11/2016

At its Aug. 25 meeting, the Texas Medical Board (TMB) voted to adopt without change its recently proposed call coverage rules. The rules outline requirements for two models for call coverage: a reciprocal call coverage arrangement for physicians in the same or similar specialty and a nonreciprocal arrangement that does not require reciprocal call coverage.

TMA Urges TMB to Withdraw Disciplinary Hearing Rules - 10/10/2016

TMA is not impressed with the Texas Medical Board's (TMB's) proposed new rules concerning informal show compliance proceedings and informal settlement conferences (ISCs). TMA tells TMB in a letter the association wants an overhaul of the ISC process to make it more fair and transparent. TMA's letter expresses strong opposition to the proposed rule and states "instead of allowing the process to become fairer and more transparent, the proposed rule makes ISCs more like a formal administrative hearing without the guaranteed accompanying protections."

Testimonials in Advertising - 06/23/2016

Simply as it regards testimonials, physicians should strictly limit their use and only permit representations in their advertisements that are readily subject to verification.

2011 TMA Legislative Report Card - 06/22/2016

TMA's top priority as the 2011 legislative session convened was to protect the patient-physician relationship in every aspect of the health care system. With an enormous budget deficit and special interest groups from hospitals to midlevel practitioners lining up to takeMany of our adversaries wanted control of physicians, our practices, and our patients. However, when the session, physicians crossed the finish line with the reins still in hand. Even better, lawmakers took major steps to protect and strengthen the patient-physician relationship from future outside interference.