Bill

HB 3885

85(R) - 2017
House Public Health
House Public Health
Boards & Commissions
Health & Human Services
Healthcare
Hospitals

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Garnet F. Coleman

Bill Caption

Relating to employment of psychiatrists by certain private hospitals.

Fiscal Notes

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

Bill Analysis

This bill would allow a private hospital in a medically underserved or rural area to employ a physician only if they are a psychiatrist and remain employed by the private hospital for not more than 10 years after the date of initial employment. The bill would also require the chief medical officer of the private hospital to certify in writing to the Texas Medical board that the hospital has not been able to recruit a physician to provide psychiatric service for at least 12 continuous months, the hiring of the physician did not supplant  a physician with privileges or a contract with the hospital, and the hospital did not actively recruit a physician who was employed during the period of recruitment to provide services by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would allow hospitals to hire certain psychiatrists under certain restricted conditions which is an improvement over the status quo. Ultimately this bill would move at least a little bit in the right direction although it could be improved by allowing private hospitals to hire psychiatrists on their own terms without state imposed conditions. Still, this bill is in keeping with out limited government principle since it gives affected hospitals more freedom to hire necessary personnel. For this reason, we support this bill.