Texas Medical Board (TMB) Hearing
Harris County Medical Society (HCMS) President Elect Dr. A. Tomas Garcia III testified in Austin on Oct. 23 at a public hearing before the House Appropriations Regulatory Subcommittee on the Texas Medical Board (TMB). The House panel grilled members of the TMB on such topics as anonymous complaints, board members with conflicts of interest, and the aura of fear that permeates TMB proceedings.
Dr. Garcia stated that Texas physicians and patients need a strong and fair medical board. He stressed the need for the TMB to focus on the more egregious violations, such as sexual misconduct and chemically impaired physicians, and less on minor administrative violations.
The House panel appeared to be sympathetic toward the physicians' testimony. Several House members stated that the TMB should be respected by physicians and not feared by them. Based on the testimony, it is likely that legislation will be filed during the 2009 session of the legislature to address some of the issues. HCMS will continue to play an active roll in this critical issue.