2024-25 Legislature Testimonies

TMA physician leaders recommend lawmakers and government entities consider these proposals in 2024-2025, as medicine works on behalf of patients to improve Texas’ health care system. TMA conducts this work in anticipation of the start of the 89th session of the Texas Legislature convening in January 2025.

Below are delivered 2025 testimonies to lawmakers and state agencies.

Budget

TMA Speaks in Support of House Bill 5 to Create Dementia Research Organization
(TMA Testimony to the House Public Health Committee by Madhureeta Achari, MD, Supporting House Bill 5, March 10, 2025)

TMA Testifies in Support of Senate Bill 5 to Create Dementia Research Organization
(TMA Testimony to the Senate Finance Committee by Toral Parikh, MD, Supporting Senate Bill 5, Feb. 27, 2025)

TMA, Fellow Health Care Groups Seek House Budget Writers’ Support for DSHS Initiatives
(Written Testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II by Lauren Gambill, MD, Representing TMA and Other Medical Stakeholders, Feb. 26, 2025)

TMA Asks House Budget Writers to Fund the Texas Medical Board to Support Growing Physician Workforce
(TMA Written Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, to the House Appropriations Subcommittee, Feb. 25, 2025)

TMA, Medical Specialties Urge House Lawmakers to Fund Physician Workforce Initiatives
(House Appropriations Subcommittee Testimony by Rodney B. Young, MD, for GME, Other Budget Support, Feb. 25, 2025)

TMA Endorses Continuation of CPRIT Funding
(TMA Testimony to House Appropriations Subcommittee in Support of Cancer Research Funds in State Budget, Feb. 24, 2025)

TMA Calls for Adequate TMB Funding to Accommodate Workforce Growth
(Senate Committee Testimony by G. Ray Callas, MD, for Budget Support of Texas Medical Board, Feb. 13, 2025)

TMA, Health Care Groups Seek Funding for TWC Child Care Scholarships
(Senate Committee Testimony by Stakeholders Supporting Texas Workforce Commission Funding, Feb. 12, 2025)

TMA Seeks State Funding to Increase Physician Workforce
(Senate Committee Testimony by Robert Emmick Jr., MD, Seeking GME, Other Budget Support, Feb. 5, 2025)

TMA, Physician Groups Seek Senate Support for 2026-27 HHSC Budget Items
(Written Testimony by Tilden L. Childs III, MD, for TMA and Other Physician and Health Care Groups, to Senate Finance Committee, Feb. 4, 2025)

TMA, Fellow Health Stakeholders Seek Support from Senate Finance Committee for DSHS’ 2026-27 Budget
(Written Testimony to the Senate Finance Committee by Janeana White, MD, Representing TMA and Other Health Stakeholders, Feb. 4, 2025)

TMA, Stakeholders Seek Support for DSHS’ 2026-27 Budget Wishlist
(Written Testimony to the Legislative Budget Board by Lauren Gambill, MD, for TMA and Health Stakeholders, Oct. 3, 2024)

TMA Calls on State to Fund the Texas Medical Board Adequately for State’s Population Growth
(TMA Written Testimony by G. Ray Callas, MD, to the Legislative Budget Board, Aug. 28, 2024)

TMA, Stakeholders Urge DSHS to Back Public Health, Disaster Response, Maternal and Child Health in 2026-27 Biennium Legislative Appropriations Request
(TMA/Health Stakeholder Written Testimony by Maria Monge, MD, to Texas Department of State Health Services, May 1, 2024)

Health Information Technology (HIT)

TMA Appreciates Bill’s Intent but Notes Patient Privacy, Administrative Burden Concerns
(TMA Testimony to the House Public Health Committee on House Bill 2264, April 21, 2025)

TMA Backs Bill to Give Physicians Access to AI to Help Review Patients' Cancer Scans
(TMA Testimony by Suman Sinha, MD, in Support of House Bill 2298 in the House Subcommittee on Chronic Disease Prevention & Women’s & Children’s Health, April 3, 2025)

TMA Backs Bill to Ensure Physicians Can Deliver Sensitive Health Information to Patients
(TMA Testimony to the House Public Health Committee by David Gerber, MD, Supporting House Bill 1699, March 24, 2025)

Patients Should Receive Sensitive Diagnoses Compassionately, TMA Testifies
(TMA Testimony by David Gerber, MD, in Favor of Senate Bill 922 to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, March 18, 2025)

With Proper Oversight, AI is Powerful Aid for Physicians Providing Health Care, TMA Testifies
(TMA Testimony to the House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies, by TMA Council on Legislation Chair Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD; Oct. 1, 2024)

TMA Recommends Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence Use in Health Care
(TMA Testimony to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce by TMA Council on Legislation Chair Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD; Aug. 27, 2024)

Health Insurance

TMA Concerned About Bill’s Broad Reporting Requirements, Penalties
(Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, for the Texas Medical Association Against House Bill 4408 in the House Public Health Committee, April 21, 2025)

TMA Calls Bill “the Fix Patients and Physicians Need” to Improve Prior Authorization Gold Cards
(TMA Testimony by Debra Patt, MD, to the House Committee on Insurance in Support of House Bill 3812, April 9, 2025)

“Gold Card” Improvement Bill Will Reduce Patients’ Prior Authorization Delays, Burdens
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, in Support of Senate Bill 547 in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, April 9, 2025)

Expedited Credentialing for FQHCs Necessary for the Clinics and Patients, Texas Medical Association Testifies
(TMA Testimony by Doug Curran, MD, in Support of House Bill 3151 in the House Human Services Committee, April 8, 2025)

Mid-Level Providers in Practices Need Expedited Credentialing Like Physicians Have, TMA Says
(Texas Medical Association Testimony by Adam Bruggeman, MD, Supporting House Bill 1266 in the House Insurance Committee, April 2, 2025)

TMA Offers Improvements to Bill Regarding Health Care Expenses in Certain Civil Actions
(TMA Testimony on Senate Bill 30 in the Senate Committee on State Affairs, March 31, 2025)

TMA Seeks to Ensure Insurance Ranking, Tiering Bill Upholds Patient Protections
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, on House Bill 1959 to House Insurance Committee, March 26, 2025)

Annual Utilization Review Compliance Exams Would Create Better Oversight, TMA Testifies
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, in Favor of House Bill 1818, to the House Insurance Committee, March 26, 2025)

Physicians Worry Bill Removes Patient Protections in Some Health Plans
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, in Opposition to House Bill 139 as Filed in the House Insurance Committee, March 26, 2025)

 TMA Discusses the Importance of Adequate Health Networks for Patients
(TMA Testimony to the House Committee on Insurance by Council on Legislation Chair Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD; Sept. 5, 2024)

TMA Outlines Prior Authorization Burdens, Recommends Improvements
(TMA Testimony to the House Committee on Insurance by Council on Legislation Chair Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD; Sept. 5, 2024)

TMA Seeks Improvements to Health Insurance Coverage, Health Care Policies
(TMA Testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee by TMA President G. Ray Callas, MD, and Council on Legislation Chair Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD; May 14, 2024)

Medicaid

TMA Testifies on Proposal to Increase Medicaid Physician, Provider Penalties
(TMA Testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Senate Bill 1038, March 11, 2025)

TMA Recommends Transparent, Effective Medicaid and CHIP Procurement Process
(TMA Testimony to the House Committee on Human Services Regarding Medicaid and CHIP Procurements; June 4, 2024)

Medical Liability

TMA Seeks to Retain Adequate Physician Input on Texas Medical Disclosure Panel
(TMA Testimony in Opposition to House Bill 923 in House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, March 12, 2025)

Public Health

TMA Backs Plan for More Transparency Regarding Nurse Education, Experience, and Disciplinary Actions
(TMA Testimony Supporting House Bill 3614 to the House Committee on Public Health, April 21, 2025)

Removing Clinical Involvement in Prescribing Poses Risks to Patient Safety, TMA Testifies
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, Against House Bill 3219 in the House Committee on Public Health, April 21, 2025)

“Game-Changer:” TMA Supports HIV Screening Improvements
(Texas Medical Association Testimony by Kari Fay, MD, for House Bill 50 in the House Committee on Public Health, March 31, 2025)

Physicians Seek Ongoing Public Protection Against Potential Illness From Raw Milk Consumption
(TMA, TPS Testimony by Ashley Lucke, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health on House Bill 1669, March 31, 2025)

TMA Testifies in Favor of Measure to Protect Texans from Kratom
(TMA Testimony to the Senate Committee on State Affairs in Favor of Senate Bill 1868, March 27, 2025)

TMA Urges Passage of Measure to Provide Perinatal Palliative Care for Grieving Families
(TMA Testimony Supporting House Bill 37 in the House Public Health Committee, March 24, 2025)

Medical Societies Favor House Bill 25 to Promote Better Nutrition, Physical Activity, Healthy Living
(TMA, TPS Testimony to the House Subcommittee on Disease Prevention & Women’s & Children’s Health by Sheela Gavvala, DO, Supporting House Bill 25, March 20, 2025)

TMA Backs Ban on Buying Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Under SNAP
(TMA Testimony of Tilden L. Childs III, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Supporting Senate Bill 379, March 11, 2025)

TMA, TPS Support Senate Bill 3’s Goal to Make CBD/THC Products Safer – Especially to Protect Youth
(Testimony by Lindy McGee, MD, Representing TMA, TPS, to the Senate Committee on State Affairs, March 3, 2025) SB3

TMA Asks Senate Committee to Prohibit “Laughing Gas” Sales to Minors
(TMA Testimony to the Senate State Affairs Committee by Marjan Linnell, MD, Supporting Senate Bill 666, Feb. 27, 2025)

TMA, TPS Testify for Senate Bill 314 to Improve School Lunch Nutrition
(TMA, TPS Testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee by Maria Monge, MD, Feb. 26, 2025)

Physicians Support Bill to Promote Healthier Living, Better Nutrition, Physical Activity
(TMA, TPS Testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee by Maria Monge, MD, Supporting Senate Bill 25, Feb. 26, 2025)

Beverages Containing THC Can Harm Children; Physicians Call for Protections
(Testimony by Lindy McGee, MD, Representing TMA, TPS, to the Senate Committee on State Affairs, Oct. 17, 2024)

Physicians Recommend Safeguards Regarding THC-Containing Products
(TMA, Stakeholder Testimony by Robert Emmick Jr., MD, to the Senate Committee on State Affairs, May 29, 2024)

TMA Supports Funding for Cancer Prevention and Research (TMA Testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, May 14, 2024)

Behavioral Health/Mental Health

Physician Organizations Back Plan to Regulate Platforms, Apps to Protect Children
(TMA, TPS Testimony in Favor of House Bill 4901 to the House Committee on Trade, Workforce & Economic Development, April 15, 2025)

Physicians Call for Safe Default Settings on Social Media Platforms to Protect Children
(TMA, TPS Testimony Supporting Senate Bill 2881 in the Senate State Affairs Committee, April 10, 2025)

Measure Will Foster Transparency, Accountability on Social Media, Physicians Tell Committee
(TMA, TPS Testimony Supporting House Bill 2874 in the House Committee on Trade, Workforce, & Economic Development; April 9, 2025)

TMA, TPS Back Bill to Add Social Media Protections for Young Users
(TMA, TPS Testimony by Lauren Gambill, MD, in House Public Health Committee Supporting House Bill 499, March 17, 2025)

Physicians Ask Lawmakers to Address Manipulative Social Media Practices that Harm Children
(TMA, Texas Pediatric Society Testimony by Lindy McGee, MD, to the Joint Legislative Committee on Effects of Media on Minors, Study; Jan. 7, 2025)

Physicians Ask Senators for Social Media Oversight to Protect Youths' Mental Health
(TMA, TPS Testimony by Lindy McGee, MD, to the Senate Committee on State Affairs, Oct. 17, 2024)

Psychologists Are Beneficial but Shouldn’t Have Prescriptive Authority, TMA and Psychiatry Groups Tell Lawmakers
(Texas Medical Association and Federation of Texas Psychiatry Testimony by Thomas Kim, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Sept. 18, 2024)

TMA, TPS Seek Ongoing Mental Health Services for Children
(Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society Written Testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Sept. 18, 2024)

Maternal Health

Measure Increases Transparency for Thriving Texas Families Program
(TMA Testimony to the House Committee on Public Health Supporting House Bill 2581, April 14, 2025)

Life of the Mother Act Gives Physicians Clarity to Provide Women Evidence-Based Care
(TMA Testimony by Deborah Fuller, MD, in Favor of House Bill 44 by Rep. Charlie Geren in the House Public Health Committee, April 7, 2025)

Measure Helps Physicians Provide Women Crisis Care in Pregnancy Emergencies
(TMA Testimony by Nichole Van de Putte, MD, in Favor of House Bill 44 in the House Public Health Committee, April 7, 2025)

Bill Will Provide Physicians Clarity in Critical Pregnancy Situations
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, Supporting House Bill 44 in the House Public Health Committee, April 7, 2025)

TMA Testifies Bill Offers Clarity in Emergency Complex Pregnancy Care Cases
(TMA Testimony by Julie Ayala, DO, Supporting Senate Bill 31 in the Senate State Affairs Committee, March 27, 2025)

TMA Seeks Community Voice on MMMRC, Data-Sharing with CDC (TMA Written Comments to Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, Sept. 27, 2024)

Tobacco/E-Cigarettes

Testimony: Strengthening Hookah Laws Will Protect Young People From Health Risks
(TMA, TPS, and TPHC Testimony by Maria Monge, MD, for House Bill 2300 to the House Public Health Committee, April 21, 2025)

Family of Medicine Supports Prohibition of Tobacco, E-Cigarette Products on Campuses
(TMA, TPS, TPHC Testimony by Maria Monge, MD, to the House Higher Education Committee in Support of House Bill 484, April 1, 2025)

TMA Concerned State Nicotine Product Directory Won’t Protect Kids From Addictive Products
(TMA Testimony by Sheela Gavvala, DO, in Senate State Affairs Committee Opposing Senate Bill 1698, March 31, 2025)

TMA, TPS, TPHC Support Plan to Limit E-Cigarette Advertising, to Protect Kids
(TMA, TPS, and TPHC Testimony by Shenna John, MD, to the Senate State Affairs Committee Supporting Senate Bill 2024, March 27, 2025)

TMA, Medical Groups Support E-Cigarette Marketing Limits to Protect Youth
(TMA, TPS, TPHC Testimony by Kimberly Avila Edwards, MD, to the House Public Health Committee in Support of House Bill 2735, March 24, 2025)

Vaccines

Do Not Weaken Health Facility Vaccination Standards; Keep Them Available to Care For Patients
(TMA, TPS Testimony by Mammen Sam, MD, Opposing Senate Bill 407 in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, April 9, 2025)

Retain Current Vaccine Requirements to Protect Patients, Medical Students
(TMA, TPS Testimony by Lauren Gambill, MD, on Senate Bill 2119 to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, April 8, 2025)

Women's Health

TMA Supports Bill to Increase Information Disclosures in Mammogram Reports
(TMA Testimony to the House Subcommittee on Disease Prevention & Women’s & Children’s Health in Support of House Bill 2659, April 17, 2025)

TMA Supports Bill to Offer Emergency Contraception to Assault Survivors
(TMA Testimony to the House Public Health Committee Favoring House Bill 220, March 31, 2025)

TMA, Physician Specialties Applaud Bill to Raise Patient Awareness of Breast Cancer Risk
(TMA Testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in Support of Senate Bill 1084, March 11, 2025)

Scope of Practice

TMA Testifies in Support of Bill to Improve Rural Access to Care While Maintaining Physician Oversight
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, in Support of Senate Bill 2695 in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, April 23, 2025)

Hospital Privileging Standards Should Not Change, TMA Testifies
(TMA Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, Opposing Senate Bill 1373 in the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, April 15, 2025)

Direct-Access Physical Therapy Bill Weakens Existing Patient Safety Protections
(TMA Testimony by Jimmy Widmer, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health Opposing House Bill 4099, April 14, 2025)

Expanding Scope Wouldn’t Improve Access to Care; Physician Workforce Initiatives Would
(TMA Testimony by Melissa Garretson, MD, in the House Public Health Committee Against House Bill 3794, April 14, 2025)

Physician Oversight, Collaboration Create the Best Care
(TMA Testimony by Jimmy Widmer, MD, in the House Public Health Committee Against House Bill 3794, April 14, 2025)

National Scope-of-Practice Expert Testifies Against Texas Scope Bill
(Testimony on TMA’s Behalf by Rebekah Bernard, MD, Opposing House Bill 3794 in the House Public Health Committee, April 14, 2025)

TMA Physician Testimony: Texas Shouldn’t Have Two Standards of Care
(TMA Testimony by Kimberly Monday, MD, to the House Public Health Committee Opposing House Bill 3794, April 14, 2025)

Employ Proven Solutions to Increase Physician Workforce to Improve Care Access
(TMA Testimony by Rodney Young, MD, Opposing House Bill 3794 in the House Public Health Committee, April 14, 2025)

Studies Show Physician-Led Team-Based Care is Best for Patients, TMA Testifies
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, Against House Bill 3794 in the House Public Health Committee, April 14, 2025)

Texas Medical Association Opposes Bill to Expand APRN Scope of Practice
(Testimony by TMA President G. Ray Callas, MD, Opposing House Bill 3794 to the House Public Health Committee, April 14, 2025)

Current Physician-Led Care Model Works Best for Patients, TMA Tells Senate Committee
(TMA Written Testimony to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Sept. 18, 2024)

Physicians’ Significantly Greater Training Justifies Leadership of Health Care Teams, TMA Tells Senate Committee
(TMA Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Sept. 18, 2024)

TMA Tells Senators Texans Everywhere Deserve Highest Level of Physician-Led Team-Based Care
(TMA Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Sept. 18, 2024)

Texas Medical Board

TMA Seeks to Preserve Medical Board’s Ability to Act When Nonphysicians Overstep
(TMB Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, Opposing Senate Bill 268 in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, March 18, 2025)

Workforce/Graduate Medical Education

TMA Seeks to Improve Health Care Consolidation Measure
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, on House Bill 2747 in the House Committee on Public Health, April 7, 2025)

Bill Strikes Reasonable Balance in Physician Non-Compete Agreements, TMA Testifies
(TMA Testimony by Tilden L. Childs III, MD, for Senate Bill 1318 in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, March 26, 2025)

Non-Compete Agreements Should Protect Physicians' Practice Ability and Respect Employers’ Business Interests, TMA Tells Senate Committee
(TMA Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, Oct. 1, 2024)