Texas House Bill HB434

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the dispensing of certain medications by therapeutic optometrists.

Impact

If passed, HB 434 will have a significant impact on the delivery of eye care in Texas by granting therapeutic optometrists expanded authority to administer medications. This is anticipated to improve patient access to necessary treatments, as patients would no longer need to go through a separate healthcare provider for prescriptions related to their eye care. Proponents argue that this change will streamline care and reduce costs associated with referrals, ultimately benefiting public health outcomes.

Summary

House Bill 434 seeks to amend the Texas Occupations Code by permitting therapeutic optometrists to dispense certain medications directly to their patients. This legislative change aims to enhance the ability of therapeutic optometrists to provide comprehensive patient care, allowing them greater autonomy in managing treatment plans without necessarily adhering to the more stringent regulations stipulated in Chapter 558 regarding medication dispensing. The bill specifically outlines that therapeutic optometrists may dispense medications that are within their scope of practice and allows them to charge a fee for this service.

Contention

The proposed bill is not without contention, as there are concerns regarding the potential implications for patient safety and the standardization of care. Opponents may argue that allowing optometrists to dispense medications could lead to overprescribing or a lack of comprehensive oversight from physicians. Furthermore, discussions may arise about whether this bill adequately addresses training and qualifications for optometrists in handling medications, which could be a point of contention during the legislative process. The balance between expanding optometrists' practice and ensuring patient safety is likely to be at the forefront of debates surrounding this bill.