UNDER THE ROTUNDA
Scope of practice will take center stage this week as the Texas Medical Association keeps its eye on and fights bad legislation that would give non-medical professionals the authority to practice medicine.
On Tuesday, Senate Bill 993 by Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) – which would give therapeutic optometrists the right to perform certain surgeries – will be heard in the Senate Business & Commerce committee. And on Wednesday, the House Public Health Committee will take up House Bill 2029 by Stephanie Klick (R-Fort Worth), which would give advanced practice registered nurses independent prescribing authority.
TMA stands against both bills and plans to let each committee know it during those respective hearings. Physicians are lined up to testify on both measures.
TMA has created a legislative toolkit to arm you with the information you need to join us in stopping scope of practice expansion in Texas. The toolkit includes messages, research and polling data, social media graphics and posts, short videos, and more to help you get the word to Texas lawmakers that health care must be physician-led and team-based.
Encouraging docs in SHACs
Made up of community volunteers, School Health Advisory Councils (SHACs) are an essential part of helping children lead healthy lives. TMA strongly encourages physician participation in SHACs.
So when TMA saw language in a bill that might make physicians apprehensive about doing so, it went to work last week – and the Senate Health Committee listened.
After input from TMA, Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Tyler) released a committee substitute to his Senate Bill 442. The measure is largely concerned with establishing a process for SHACs to publicize and finalize their proposed human sexuality curriculum for schools.
TMA, however, was greatly concerned about language in the bill that would make SHACs subject to public information and open-meeting laws – which could chill participation in the councils considering SHACs are made up of volunteers. TMA made its concerns known Thursday in a letter to Senate Health from Partnership for a Healthy Texas, a collaboration between more than 20 organizations, including TMA and the Texas Pediatric Society.
As a result, Senator Hughes put forth a substitute for the bill that ensures SHACs wouldn’t be subject to open meetings or public information laws, instead introducing more reasonable transparency language. The committee substitute also addressed another TMA concern by reducing SHACs’ potential burden for curriculum review.
“We seek to ensure parents have access to SHAC discussions and encourage them to contribute to continue the community engagement that make SHACs valuable and effective in addressing community health concerns,” the letter said.
TMA is hoping for similar changes to another Senate bill that’s identical to the original SB 442. Senate Bill 347 by Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) will be heard Tuesday in the Senate Business & Commerce Committee. TMA was planning to send that committee a similar letter.
Medical billing tax bill advances
TMA’s proposal to stop a coming tax on medical-billing companies became the first TMA-priority measure of this session to advance out of committee.
The House Ways & Means Committee, led by chair Rep. Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas), approved House Bill 1445 on Thursday, making it eligible for consideration by the full House at a future date. The measure by Rep. Tom Oliverson, MD (R-Cypress) would protect billing companies from a tax of up to 8.25%, thus protecting the companies’ physician clients from passed-on costs.
TMA Needs Your Expert Help
The 2021 legislative session is starting to ramp up, and the opportunities to stop bad bills and promote good ones are mounting. Time-sensitive Action Alerts are an effective and an efficient way for you to share your messages of concern and support with legislators from the convenience of your desk or mobile phone. Action Alerts arrive by email and have a pre-written response, to which we strongly encourage you to add a personalized story or anecdote about how the proposed legislation will affect you, your patients, and your practice. You can access Action Alerts from the email you receive or our Grassroots Action Center. Just click the link and go. In fact, there’s one waiting for you now!
Easy Ways to Get Involved in TMA Advocacy
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