Here are seven insights:
1. In Texas, physicians must participate in the Maintenance of Certification program to maintain certification with national certification boards. The MOC program tests medical knowledge and practice every five years to 10 years.
2. The new legislation, Senate Bill 1148, prohibits the Texas Medical Board from leveraging the MOC program as a mandate for “physicians to obtain or renew their medical license,” The Texas Tribune reports.
3. Further, the bill would ban hospitals and health plans from identifying which physicians underwent the MOC program and which did not, for use in workforce selection, payment, contracting or credentialing.
4. Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway), who is a physician, wrote the bill.
5. The Texas Senate already passed the legislation in April.
6. The Texas Medical Association backs the legislation, arguing the MOC program is expensive and burdensome.
7. The Texas Hospital Association sits on the other side of the camp, claiming the lack of the program could result in poor patient care.
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