BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 730
88R523 CJD-F	By: Hinojosa
	Health & Human Services
	4/3/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs) are podiatric physicians and surgeons who diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and connected structures of the leg. Currently, this entails both surgical and non-surgical treatments. Surgical procedures require hospital care, and are performed by podiatrists who are on the medical staff at a Texas licensed hospital or Texas licensed ambulatory surgical center, consistent with their education, training, and experience.

Privileges, granted through a process outlined in a specific hospital's medical staff bylaws, are what enable podiatrists to practice specific surgical treatments. Certain Texas hospitals are not allowing, not offering, or are revoking privileges for surgical treatments of ankle and connected lower leg conditions traditionally performed by DPMs, even though these treatments fall under their current scope of practice.

Similar to existing protections in statute for dentists and osteopathic doctors, S.B. 730 changes Section 241.102(c), Health and Safety Code, to prohibit the denial of privileges on a medical staff for podiatrists. Specifically, S.B. 730 ensures podiatrists may not be denied privileges solely on the ground that the applicant is a podiatrist rather a physician, protecting access to important surgical care.

As proposed, S.B. 730 amends current law relating to the granting of privileges at hospitals for podiatrists.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 241.102(c), Health and Safety Code, to prohibit an applicant for medical staff membership or privileges from being denied membership or privileges solely on the ground that the applicant is a podiatrist rather than a physician.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.