TMB

TMB Pulls Proposed Rule on Surprise Bills - 12/09/2019

The Texas Medical Board has withdrawn its proposed rules to implement pieces of the state’s new law introducing baseball-style arbitration on many out-of-network medical bills. At its meeting Friday, the board pulled down its rule proposal, saying in a statement that it “would not cover all providers under the statute.”

TMB Transitions to Electronic Licenses in September - 09/18/2019

Beginning Sept. 1, the Texas Medical Board (TMB) will no longer issue paper licenses for physicians or physician assistants. Instead, new and renewed licenses will be available via the My TMB online portal.

Setting the Record Straight: Supreme Court Curtails TMB for Over-Sanctioning Physician - 08/02/2019

Eight years ago, when he experienced a rare patient death, McAllen family physician Ruben Aleman, MD, signed the death certificate the way Texas physicians had been doing it for years, and the only way he knew how: using pen and paper. That resulted in the Texas Medical Board (TMB) not only coming after him, but accusing him of “unprofessional or dishonorable conduct that is likely to deceive or defraud the public” – words found in the state Medical Practice Act. The Texas Supreme Court recently decided that was an overreach for a physician who simply hadn’t signed up on the state’s electronic death registration system, which at the time was relatively new.

TMB: Back on Track - 08/02/2019

Two years ago during the 2017 regular session, the Texas Legislature put the practice of medicine in the state in serious danger, failing to renew the Texas Medical Board (TMB) and the state’s Medical Practice Act. In 2019 House Bill 1504 by Rep. Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) put TMB back on the standard 12-year sunset cycle, renewing the board through 2031.

Legislative Top 10: What It Took To Renew the TMB for 12 Years - 06/17/2019

Today’s TMA’s Legislative News Hotline video looks at lawmakers’ quest to pass legislation to renew the Texas Medical Board for another 12 years. The Texas Legislature passed the sunset bill this session, House Bill 1504, after the 2017 legislature couldn’t get it done. It awaits Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature.

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.

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.