Texas House Bill HB3820

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the authority of chiropractors to form certain business entities with certain other professions.

Impact

The legislation is expected to positively affect the collaborative landscape within Texas healthcare by legally allowing chiropractors, podiatrists, and medical doctors to work together under shared business structures. This could lead to improved patient access to multidisciplinary care and greater innovation in treatment approaches. However, it also retains individual control over clinical decisions, ensuring that no professional can overstep their respective boundaries based on their licensure. The regulatory authority of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners and other relevant boards remains intact, maintaining a level of oversight over practitioners.

Summary

House Bill 3820 primarily addresses the authority of chiropractors in Texas to form certain business entities with other health professionals, specifically doctors of medicine, osteopaths, and podiatrists. This bill amends various sections of the Business Organizations Code, enabling these healthcare professionals to create jointly owned corporations and partnerships. The aim is to facilitate collaborative efforts in providing healthcare services while adhering to the specific practice limitations of each profession involved. Such collaborations are designed to enhance service delivery in healthcare fields and potentially broaden the scope of treatments available to patients.

Contention

There may be concerns regarding the implications of such partnerships on traditional practices and the risk of diluting professional boundaries. Critics might warn against situations where the clinical authority could be undermined through business arrangements that conflict with professional ethics. Additionally, as healthcare practices evolve, questions surrounding the quality of care and the adequacy of regulatory oversight will likely emerge, particularly in maintaining patient safety standards.