The Texas House tentatively approved a bill that will eliminate Maintenance of Certification requirements for physicians, according to a report from The Texas Tribune.
The bill was passed by the Senate in April. Once approved, physicians in Texas will no longer have to undergo the MOC program to obtain or renew their medical license with the Texas Medical Board, and hospitals and payers cannot use MOC in selecting physicians, payment and contract negotiations or credentialing, according to the report.
The Texas Medical Board is in support of the legislation. It sees MOC as an unnecessary regulation that adds burden and expense to physician practice, according to the report. The Texas Hospital Association, however, opposes the legislation, saying it poses a threat to patient safety and quality, according to the report.
Physicians would still be required to comply with Continuing Medical Education requirements, according to the report.
Read the full story here.
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