Statement by Texas Medical Association President Stephen L. Brotherton, MD, in response to Gov. Rick Perry signing Senate Bill 822 by Sen. Charles Schwertner, MD (R-Georgetown), and Rep. Craig Eiland (D-Galveston) into law.
“Texas physicians applaud Gov. Rick Perry for taking a bold step to rein in companies that sell, lease, or share physician-contracted discounts without the physician’s knowledge or consent. These 'silent PPO' practices mislead patients and cause needless, costly hassles for physicians who fall victim to them. The legislation, Senate Bill 822 by Sen. Charles Schwertner, MD, and Rep. Craig Eiland, was TMA’s No. 1 priority this session for establishing fair and transparent insurance markets for patients, employers, and physicians.
“Thanks to Senator Schwertner and Representative Eiland, Texas now has a new law that will help identify these companies and subject them to Texas Department of Insurance oversight, and will set the ground rules for getting a physician’s express authority to make a contract available to a payer. Regulating these companies was one of many important issues outlined in TMA’s Healthy Vision 2020 to improve Texas’ health care system."
The new law goes into effect Sept. 1, 2013.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing more than 47,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 112 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.
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Contact: Pam Udall
phone: (512) 370-1382
cell: (512) 413-6807
Pam Udall
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Contact: Brent Annear
phone: (512) 370-1381
cell: (512) 656-7320
Brent Annear
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Last Updated On
May 06, 2016
Originally Published On
May 28, 2013