SRC-CDH C.S.S.B. 1295 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1295
By: Cain
Health & Human Services
4-4-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, although Fifth Pathway programs no longer provide a large
stream of physicians into the U.S. workforce, there are still several
programs in operation.  The statutory provision that authorized the Texas
State Board of Medical Examiners (board) to license qualified Fifth
Pathway certificate holders was repealed in the last legislative session
on the basis that the Fifth Pathway was not being utilized by Texans who
were training in foreign medical schools; however, research over the
interim has shown that the program is, in fact, in use.  This legislation
would restore the statutory language previously in effect and reauthorize
the board to license qualified Fifth Pathway certificate holders in order
to allow Texans who successfully completed a Fifth Pathway program to
return to Texas to practice medicine.   
 
PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1295 establishes the licensure of certain
international medical students who have successfully completed a fifth
pathway program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 4495b, V.T.C.S. (Medical Practice Act), by
adding Section 3.041, as follows: 

Sec. 3.041.  Requires an applicant who has been a student of a foreign
medical school, to be eligible for the issuance of a license, to present
satisfactory proof to the board that the applicant has met certain
requirements.  Provides that satisfaction of the requirements of this
section are in lieu of the completion of any requirements of the foreign
medical school beyond the completion of the didactic work.  Requires
satisfaction of the requirements in Subsection (a) to be in lieu of
certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates,
and provides that certification is not a condition of licensure to
practice medicine in this state for those candidates.  Prohibits certain
hospitals from requiring an individual who has been a student of a foreign
medical school but has not graduated from the school to satisfy certain
requirements prior to commencing an internship or residency.  Sets forth
the terms by which certain documents are required to be considered the
equivalent of a degree of doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy for
purposes of licensure.  

SECTION 2. Emergency clause. 
  Effective date:  upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends the relating clause to establish the licensure of certain
international medical students, rather than graduates, who have
successfully completed a fifth pathway program.