Texas Senate Bill SB311

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 1/4/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 3/21/11
• Voted on by Senate: 3/31/11
• Refer: 2/2/11
• Out of House Committee: 4/29/11
• Report Pass: 3/21/11
• Voted on by House: 5/20/11
• Engrossed: 3/31/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/4/11
• Report Pass: 4/28/11
• Enrolled: 5/21/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to the authority of the board of directors of the Ochiltree County Hospital District to employ physicians and other health care providers.

Impact

The implications of SB311 on state laws are significant, as it delegates additional employment authority to local hospital boards. By specifying that the board must appoint a chief medical officer and establish policies to ensure the integrity of independent medical judgment, the bill balances greater operational flexibility with the need for accountability in medical practices. This moves the oversight of such employment practices closer to the local governance level, which could lead to a variety of operational changes across Texas hospital districts.

Summary

SB311 aims to enhance the authority of the board of directors of the Ochiltree County Hospital District in employing physicians and healthcare providers. The bill modifies existing regulations by allowing the board to employ physicians directly and retain some portion of the revenue generated from their services. This change is intended to give the hospital district more control over its staffing and financial management.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding this bill, particularly concerning the balance of power between local hospital boards and the medical professionals they employ. Critics may argue that such provisions might lead to potential conflicts over independent medical judgment and patient care, especially if board policies are seen as restrictive or if there are perceived threats to a physician's ability to make independent decisions regarding patient care. Proponents, however, assert that these provisions are necessary to provide local healthcare facilities the flexibility they need to respond to community needs effectively.