Congress ’ Failure to Stop Medicare Payment Cut Frustrates, Threatens Texas Physicians, Patients
Texas Medical Association physicians are extremely disappointed Congress let Medicare patients down this week. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - January 19, 2024 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Medicare Cuts Forcing Doctors Out
A 3.37% cut in Medicare physician pay is scheduled to hit on Jan. 1, 2024. That ’s on top of the 2% cut that took effect earlier this year and other compounding cuts over the years. In total, inflation-adjusted physician Medicare pay has fallen 26% since 2001. Medicare physician pay cuts are forcing some physicians out of the program. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - November 8, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Challenging Flu, Illness Season Ahead
As we enter the cold and flu illness season, Texas physicians warn there are three viruses lurking in the air – the influenza virus that causes the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Physicians say the best way to say safe – especially for those at greatest risk of severe illness – is to vaccinate against all three. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - October 9, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Access to Care Improves After 20 Years of Medical Liability Reform
This week marks two decades since Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment to stop what some physicians and patients called a crisis situation. They say the effort ensured patients have greater access to doctors ’ care. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - September 13, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Physicians Warn: New Drug Overdose Threat Contains Veterinary Tranquilizer Xylazine
Xylazine, a tranquilizer used in veterinary medicine, is appearing in illicit street drugs with fentanyl, compounding the dangers of the opioid overdose epidemic. Xylazine, also called “tranq” according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, is used to tranquilize animals. It is not approved for human use and has killed people who have taken the drug. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - September 7, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

TMA Welcomes New Court Ruling in NSA Lawsuit
Statement by Rick W. Snyder II, MD, Texas Medical Association (TMA) president, in response to the ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas regarding TMA ’s third No Surprises Act (NSA) lawsuit. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - August 25, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

TMA Pleased Court Strikes Down Steep Fee Hike and Batching Rules in NSA Cases
Statement by Rick W. Snyder II, MD, Texas Medical Association (TMA) president, in response to the ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on TMA's fourth No Surprises Act lawsuit. TMA challenged a 600% hike in administrative fees and batching rules used in arbitration cases governed by the federal law.  (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - August 4, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Parents, Act Now: Pneumococcal Vaccines Protect Kids From Dangerous Diseases
Texas physicians have a message for parents getting ready to send their kids to daycare or school – make sure your children are up to date on their pneumococcal vaccine. The vaccine prevents infectious diseases that spread easily through a cough or sneeze in crowded settings. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - July 25, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

TMA Board Elects Officers From Houston, Denton, San Antonio, Keller
The TMA Board of Trustees has elected 2023-24 officers to lead the board. Members of the TMA governing body elected Houston ophthalmologist Keith A. Bourgeois, MD, as chair; Denton obstetrician-gynecologist Joseph S. Valenti, MD, as vice chair; and San Antonio internist and undersea and hyperbaric medicine specialist Jayesh B. Shah, MD, as secretary. The TMA House of Delegates also elected Keller family physician Greg Fuller, MD, as TMA secretary/treasurer. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - July 6, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

TMA Recognizes Houston, El Paso Physicians With Highest Honors
For just the fourth time in its history, the Texas Medical Association (TMA) today honored not one but two revered TMA physician leaders with its 2023 Distinguished Service Award. TMA presented Diana L. Fite, MD, and Gilbert A. Handal, MD, its highest honor during TexMed, the association ’s annual conference in Fort Worth. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - May 26, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

TMA Elects Beaumont Anesthesiologist President-Elect
The Texas Medical Association (TMA) Saturday elected Beaumont anesthesiologist G. Ray Callas, MD, president-elect during TexMed, the association ’s annual conference, held in Fort Worth this year. Dr. Callas will serve in this role for one year, after which he will be installed as president. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - May 22, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

TMA Installs Dallas Cardiologist as 158th President
TMA on Saturday installed Richard W. “Rick” Snyder II, MD, a Dallas cardiologist, as its 158th president. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - May 22, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Removing Texas Physicians From the Health Care Team Would be Harmful, Costly
Op-ed by Texas Medical Association (TMA) President Gary W. Floyd, MD, and Board of Trustees Chair G. Ray Callas, MD, about legislation proposing to give advanced practice registered nurses and other providers independent practice authority without physician supervision. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - May 3, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

TMA to Congress: Support Increased Competition, Transparency in Health Care
Statement by Texas Medical Association (TMA) President-Elect Rick Snyder, MD, in response to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee ’s Health Subcommittee hearing Wednesday on transparency and competition in health care.  (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - April 27, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Gather Medical Information Now, in Case You Can ’t Access it Later
Recent severe storms hitting Texas remind Texans to prepare by gathering personal medical information now in case of displacement by a disaster later, as hurricane season begins June 1. The Texas Medical Association (TMA) recommends everyone get a copy of their vital personal medical information, including current prescriptions. (Source: TMA News Room)
Source: TMA News Room - April 26, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news