Is Texas Medical Freedom in Jeopardy from the Texas Medical Board?

(TRTK), Brady, Texas: Licensed and non-licensed practitioners from around the state have reported cases of unjust investigations by the Texas Medical Board (TMB). In response to these reports, Texas Right to Know has organized the Texas Medical Freedom initiative to inform the public of their right to seek complementary and alternative care.

Many health care practitioners have submitted complaints that the TMB is executing unwarranted investigations and sanctions against non-licensed healthcare practitioners (ND, CCN, etc.) as well as licensed medical practitioners (MD, DO, etc.) who practice under Title 22 Part 9 Chapter 200 of the Texas Administrative Code: Standards for Physicians Practicing Complementary and Alternative Medicine that was enacted in 1997. This law stipulates, “The purpose of this chapter is to recognize that physicians should be allowed a reasonable and responsible degree of latitude in the kinds of therapies they offer their patients. The Board also recognizes that patients have a right to seek complementary and alternative therapies.” The TMB should recognize Texans have the right to complementary and alternative therapies and they should stop these unjust prosecutions. These frivolous investigations, funded by taxpayer dollars, raise the cost of health care because practitioners must raise prices to cover their legal defense expenses.

“I have been in contact with numerous physicians who have shared with me their unjust treatment by the Texas Medical Board (TMB) when their practices were under investigation. Wrongful actions of the TMB include the violation of the physician’s right to know their accuser, their right to due process and their patients’ 4^th amendment right to privacy,” stated Representative Bill Zedler. The ruling from the 24^th District Court in the State of Texas v. Courtney Ricardo Morgan case is a clear reprimand to the TMB for their “bad faith actions.”

The ruling stated, “The Court finds that the TMB acted in bad faith partnering up with law enforcement to conduct the search of the defendant’s business. The Court finds that the TMB’s interest in serving the subpoenas upon the defendant was not a legitimate pursuit of the administrative authority but an exercise to circumvent both the Texas and US Constitutions’ requirement for a warrant. Because the Court finds that the TMB was acting as agents of law enforcement, defendants Motion to Suppress is GRANTED.”

In response to the concerns of the public and health care practitioners to preserve medical freedom in Texas, TRTK is organizing an awareness campaign entitled, “TMB, Don’t Mess with Me,” inviting people who care about medical freedom to come to the Texas Capitol on December 9^th for a rally and lobby day. Every 10 to 15 years Texas agencies are evaluated on the performance of their duties by the Texas Sunset Commission. There will be a Sunset Commission hearing on December 9^th starting at 9:00 a.m. in room E1.030 in the Capitol and rally on the south steps of the Capitol at 2:30.
For more information, visit http://www.texasrighttoknow.com/texas-medical-freedom. 

About Texas Right to Know: TRTK is a service designed to inform and connect people in the community regarding local and state issues that affect their basic necessities of life, such as: Government, EMF Dangers, Air, Water, Food, Medical Freedom, Energy, Education, and Transportation. Visit www.texasrighttoknow.com

Media Contact: Sheila Hemphill, CEO Texas Right To Know | [email protected]