Texas House Bill HB732

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/09
• Voted on by House: 5/17/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/21/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/27/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/29/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the removal of certain information from a physician's medical board profile.

Impact

The primary impact of HB 732 is on the administrative processes regarding physician profiles maintained by the medical board. By mandating the removal of older, dismissed complaints, the bill could help in simplifying the information available to patients and employers when reviewing a physician's credentials. This change reflects a shift towards reducing the stigma associated with past complaints that have been resolved, thereby enhancing the ability of physicians to attract new patients and employment opportunities.

Summary

House Bill 732 proposes amendments to the Occupations Code concerning the management of records within a physician's medical board profile. Specifically, the bill stipulates that if a claim or complaint against a physician has been dismissed for more than three years, it must be removed from the physician's profile during the annual update. This is intended to provide physicians with a mechanism to improve their professional image by ensuring that outdated or resolved complaints do not negatively impact their reputations.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB 732 may revolve around the transparency of physician profiles in relation to patient safety and trust. Proponents of the bill may argue that this measure is crucial for supporting physicians who have faced frivolous or false claims, thereby preventing unwarranted damage to their reputations. Conversely, critics may express concern that removing such information could hinder the ability of patients to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare providers, potentially obscuring relevant history that could affect patient safety.