Texas Senate Bill SB761

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 2/17/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 3/14/11
• Voted on by Senate: 3/24/11
• Refer: 2/23/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/10/11
• Report Pass: 3/14/11
• Voted on by House: 5/20/11
• Engrossed: 3/24/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Refer: 4/4/11
• Report Pass: 5/3/11
• Enrolled: 5/26/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to the employment of physicians by certain hospitals associated with nonprofit fraternal organizations.

Impact

This legislation will have a substantial impact on the operation of hospitals affiliated with nonprofit fraternal organizations. It allows these hospitals to retain a percentage of the professional income generated by employed physicians, which could enhance their financial sustainability. Furthermore, the requirement for hospitals to adopt policies that protect physicians' independent medical judgment aims to foster a more patient-centered care environment, thus aligning with ethical standards in healthcare. Hospitals will also be mandated to report certain activities that could compromise this independence to the Texas Medical Board, ensuring accountability and oversight.

Summary

SB761 aims to regulate the employment of physicians specifically within hospitals that are operated by or associated with nonprofit fraternal organizations, particularly those that provide medical care to children under the age of 18. The bill establishes a framework for such hospitals to employ physicians while maintaining the professional autonomy and independent medical judgment required in the practice of medicine. By defining the parameters around physician employment and the operational responsibilities of hospitals in this context, the legislation seeks to ensure that patients receive quality care without undue interference in medical decisions.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding SB761 is the balance between organizational control and the autonomy of physicians working in these hospitals. While the bill provides mechanisms for protecting physicians' decision-making authority, concerns may arise about how effectively those protections are implemented in practice. Critics might argue that even with these protections, nonprofit organizations could still exert considerable influence over medical practices, leading to potential conflicts between operational goals and patient care priorities. Therefore, ongoing discussions among stakeholders will be essential as they navigate these dynamics.