“We would also like to acknowledge


the VA for clarifying that radiology studies can only be performed and read by individuals who are creden- tialed in radiology. With over 10,000 hours of education and training, phy- sicians bring tremendous value to the health care team. All patients deserve access to physician expertise, whether for primary care, chronic health man- agement, anesthesia, or pain medi- cine, in addition to the valuable care provided by advanced practice nurses and other primary care clinicians that are part of the care team.”


Paxton: DOs are physicians


TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL Ken Pax- ton flatly rejected a Houston probate judge’s assertion that Texas law does not allow doctors of osteopathy (DOs) to file certificates of medical examina- tion that are needed for mental health commitments. “Refusing to accept a certificate of examination for mental illness from a physician solely on the basis that the physician holds a degree designation of doctor of osteopathy rather than a de- gree of medicine appears to constitute the type of discrimination that the Leg- islature specifically sought to avoid,” General Paxton wrote in an official opinion. “We find no authority to reject a certificate of medical examination for mental illness solely on the degree des- ignation distinction.” To read the full opinion, visit tma.tips/PaxtonDO. The issue landed in the attor-


ney general’s lap late last year at the request of State Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chair Charles Schwertner, MD (R-George- town). Senator Schwertner was out- raged at Probate Judge Rory Olsen’s decision. “As a physician, I find Judge Olsen’s attempt to singlehandedly redefine the practice of medicine both reckless and profoundly misguided,” he wrote


March 2017 TEXAS MEDICINE 19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60