Within the past three weeks my firm has represented two physicians whose licenses had been summarily revoked by the Texas Medical Board pursuant to alleged violations of their Agreed Orders. In both cases the Medical Board had failed to follow proper procedure and adhere to the terms of each physician’s Agreed Order prior to
Texas Medical Board
Recent Rule Changes at the Texas Medical Board
Recent rule changes by the Texas Medical Board will be taking effect on June 19th. Licensed doctors and licensed physicians in the state of Texas ought to be aware of these changes. The attorneys of the Leichter Law Office has the experience and expertise necessary to assist medical licensees or medical license applicants in these…
Texas Medical Board Seeks New Legislation Targeting Pain Clinics
The Texas Medical Board is presently lobbying the State Legislature to pass a new bill which would grant them extensive new regulatory authority over pain management clinics. Available for public view on the Texas Legislature’s website as House Bill No. 4334, this legislation would enact Chapter 167 of the Texas Medical Practice Act and…
Texas Medical Board Makes Progress in Reducing Application Processing Times
Now that 2008 has come to a close, it has become clear that the Texas Medical Board has made significant strides in reducing the amount of time it takes to process first-time applicants for a state medical license. A combination of far-reaching medical malpractice reform and a growing population, has led to a large…
The Texas Medical Board, Agreed Orders, and Insurance Provider Networks
When a physician is involved in a disciplinary proceeding with the Texas Medical Board, Department of Public Safety, or other governmental entity that will likely result in some variety of Board order, it is critically important to carefully craft the final agreement so as to avoid trouble down the line. All provider networks have…
The Texas Medical Board and Recreational Use of Dextromethorphan
In recent years, I have witnessed an increase in the recreational use of dextromethorphan among Texas doctors. An ingredient found in many common cold medicines, dextromethorphan acts as an effective cough suppressant by operating as a narcotic analgesic thereby relieving upper respitory irritation. When administered at higher, non-therapeutic doses, however, the drug causes dissociative…
Note to Texas Doctors: Texas Medical Board to Hold Town Hall Meetings
Texas physicians should be aware that over the next two months the Texas Medical Board plans to host several public meetings in various locations throughout the state. The Town Hall-style events seem to be a positive response to recent criticism that the Board spends too much time pursuing minor disciplinary matters and fails to…
TMB Adopts Fast-Track Procedure For Certain Minor Violations
In response to mounting criticism from the public and medical community, the Texas Medical Board has adopted a new fast-track procedure available for certain violations of the Medical Practice Act and Board Rules. The new system bypasses the standard procedure where a physician would be investigated for 180 days followed by another potential 180…
Executive Director of the Texas Medical Board Announces Resignation
Donald Patrick, the tough and criticized Executive Director of the Texas Medical Board (TMB) announced yesterday that he will be stepping down in August as he turns 70. Dr. Patrick noticed the Full Board as well as Board Staff during a committee meeting of the Board.
Although not specifically cited, Dr. Patrick’s resignation comes after two…
Adverse Peer Review & The Texas Medical Board
Oftentimes a physician staring down a licensing action before the Texas Medical Board faces not one, but two threats to their medical practice. If the doctor depends on privileges to practice at the local hospital, the alleged misconduct that sparked the TMB investigation may also lead to an inquiry by the hospital’s peer review committee.