Bill

HB 2143

85(R) - 2017
House Public Health
House Public Health
Healthcare

Companion Bill

SB 1625

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Positive

Author(s)

Philip Cortez

Bill Caption

Relating to protection for physician assistants who refuse to engage in certain conduct.

Fiscal Notes

From the LBB: No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

This bill would prohibit the suspension, termination, or discipline of a physician assistant for refusing to engage in an act that would violate a rule in the chapter or constitutes grounds for reporting the physician assistant to the board. If a medical peer review board determines that the act is not grounds for reporting and does not violate the chapter, a person disciplining the physician assistant for their refusal would not be in violation of the section.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill promotes individual liberty and personal responsibility by providing protections to physician assistants that refuse to perform acts that violate rules or would constitute a continuing threat to the health and safety of the public. The bill would make physician assistants more likely to refuse to perform the acts and to report the violation. For this reason, we support this bill.