Texas Priority Issues

Texas ACOFP supports "PatientsFIRST" Advocacy Group - Working to provide the highest quality medical care for patients by monitoring scope of practice legislation.

PatientsFIRST Priority Bills - 2009

HB 449 Relating to the regulation of laser hair removal facilities - 05-26-09 sent to the Governor

HB607 Relating to certain treatment by a physical therapist - 2-18-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Public Health

HB696 Relating to a physician's authority to delegate prescribing acts to advanced practice nurses or physician assistants - 04-14-09 H Committee action pending House Public Health

HB800 Relating to a physician's delegation of prescriptive authority to physician assistants or advanced practice nurses. 04-14-09 H Meeting set for 8:00 A.M., E2.012 House Public Health

HB858 Relating to the practice of psychological associates 05-14-09 H Set on the House Calendar

HB1107 Relating to licensing of advanced practice registered nurses and the authority of those nurses to prescribe and order prescription drugs. 04-14-09 H Committee action pending House Public Health

HB2028 Relating to delegation by a physician of certain cosmetic and dermatological medical treatments 05-14-09 H Set on the House Calendar

HB2706 Relating to the authority of physicians and chiropractors to form certain entities. 05-06-09 S Received in the Senate - Referred to Senate Health and Human Services

HB4423 Relating to physician shortage residency programs. 03-25-09 H Introduced and referred to committee on House Public Health

SB381 Relating to the authority of physicians to delegate to certain pharmacists the implementation and modification of a patient's drug therapy. 05-20-09 G Sent to the Governor

SB433 Relating to certain treatment by a physical therapist. 02-17-09 S Introduced and referred to committee on Senate Health and Human Services

SB532 Relating to a physician's delegation of prescriptive authority to physician assistants or advanced practice nurses. 05-21-09 H Passed (Vote: Y:144/N: 0)

SB911 Relating to the licensing and regulation of pain management clinics. 05-26-09 H Passed on local calendar (Vote: Y:142/N: 0)

SB1058 Relating to reporting requirements for health occupation regulatory agencies. 05-26-09 H Passed on local calendar (Vote: Y:144/N: 0)

SB1341 Relating to the regulation of the practice of acupuncture. 05-23-09 H Recommended for Local and Consent Calendar

SB1879 Relating to the licensing and regulation of genetic counselors. 05-23-09 H Reported favorably from committee on House Public Health

SB2077 Relating to physician shortage residency programs. 05-21-09 H Referred to House Committee on House Public Health

(compiled from PatientsFIRST Priority Bill Tracking Report 05-28-09)

National Priority Issues

Red Flag - FTC Delays "Red Flag" Rule until August 1
In order to allow institutions additional time to develop and implement identity theft procedures, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has granted a three month delay on the enforcement of the 'Red Flag' rule. This rule considers physicians to be 'creditors,' thereby requiring them to establish procedures to protect against consumer identity theft or requiring payment in full in advance of service. The new implementation date is now August 1, 2009.

ACOFP - Working to Support Graduate Medical Education
ACOFP President, Jan D. Zieren, D.O., FACOFP dist sent a letter  to Representative John Yarmuth to offer ACOFP support for the “Graduate Medical Education Advancement Act” (H.R. 2301).  This bill provides much needed reform to the graduate medical education (GME) system to ensure residency training programs have the needed resources to train the nation’s next generation of physicians. 


Advocacy - Keeping Our Members Informed on Important Issues Relating to Healthcare
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