COMMENTARY
A resident’s inside view Heather Aguirre, DO
BY HEATHER AGUIRRE, DO As I sit in my cubicle and reflect on my experience at the Texas Medical Association, I can’t help but feel very thankful but, most impor- tantly, hopeful for my future as a practicing phy- sician in Texas. Before my internship, I had little to no
knowledge of the role of TMA in the Texas Legislature. Quite frankly I thought it was just another medical association through which members came together and discussed health issues, provided scholarships to medi- cal students, and offered network- ing opportunities for their members. However, TMA is that and much more. For those of you who are not fa-
• Texas’ graduating medical students won’t have to worry about having to leave the state to complete residency;
“I do not think we have the right to
• Women’s health funding is restored, and new funds are al- located for mental health; • Silent PPOs can no longer sell a physician’s rates without his or her consent;
• Minor parents can consent to their own vaccines to protect their chil- dren; and
• Physicians will be able to renew their Controlled Substance Registra- tion permit along with their licensure.
miliar with TMA’s activism and politi- cal presence, allow me to give you a small glimpse of what happens within the building located at the corner of 15th and Guadalupe streets in Austin. Compared with 10 years ago, the number of physicians filing for bank- ruptcy and closing their practices because of a lawsuit has significantly decreased. As a matter of fact, last year the Texas Medical Board award- ed the most medical licenses in its whole history because of tort reform, which TMA achieved in 2003. After this particular session:
• No more will there be a dispute as to whom the practice of medicine belongs because Senate Bill 406 clearly defines that only a licensed physician can delegate the practice of medicine;
complain about the current health care system if we
are not willing to be part of the solution.”
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the long hours of work and dedica- tion from TMA’s representatives. While many physicians across the state wonder why they should be members of the largest physician medical association in the country, this much I can say with complete confidence: The people who work at TMA genuinely care about the physi- cians and patients of Texas. I often hear physicians talk about
the many sacrifices they have to make for the profession. My colleagues, you can rest assured that the people who represent you at the Capitol sacrifice just as much, if not more, during ses- sion. Many days I saw them stay until
2 am talking to legislators or watching vigilantly in the House gallery for any dangerous amendments. Just like physicians, they also missed many dinners with their families or went home only to see their children tucked in bed already. Regardless of the time or day of the week, the lights of the 10th floor were always on. Not once did I hear them complain or say they hated their job; on the contrary, they showed up to the office bright and
August 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 7
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