Texas Senators Calling Out Texas Medical Board

The Texas Medical Board and the Texas Pharmaceutical Board have been restricting Doctors use of Hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of covid 19. Two Texas State Senators, Hall and Paxton, are fighting back against this unwarranted intrusion between doctor and patient.

Here is the letter that Senator Angela Paxton has sent to the President of the Texas Medical Board where she uses "H" for Hydroxychloroquine so that the letter is not banned from social media.

August 7, 2020

Sherif Z. Zaafran, M.D.

President, Texas Medical Board

333 Guadalupe, Tower 3, Suite 610

Austin, Texas 78768

Re: Investigation and Regulation of Physicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dear Dr. Zaafran,

Thank you for your efforts to promote public health and safety in the great State of Texas, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A strong patient/doctor relationship is the foundation of quality health care. As our state grapples with the challenges of the pandemic, I want to be sure we are protecting and preserving the trust between doctors and their patients and allowing our state’s physicians to use their knowledge, training, and experience to best meet the needs of their patients.

To that end, I am requesting the following:

1) Dissolve ongoing investigations of doctors for alleged violations of executive orders that have been rescinded or superseded by the Governor. I have heard from doctors who are currently under investigation for alleged breaches of executive orders that are no longer in effect because those executive orders are not considered necessary, yet these doctors must continue to expend their valuable time and resources to defend themselves and endure the stress and uncertainty of the pending investigations.  Certainly there are better uses of the Board’s resources than continued pursuit of alleged violations of now obsolete executive orders.

2) Issue a public statement affirming that Texas doctors have the freedom to prescribe drugs that in their professional judgment have potential for treating COVID-19, including “H.”  Across the country the number of doctors and medical professionals supporting the use of “H” (and other FDA-approved drugs and nutraceuticals) for early stage treatment and prevention of this virus is growing. Yet many doctors express fear of losing their medical licenses if they prescribe FDA approved drugs like “H” for COVID-19 treatment. I request that you issue a very clear public statement to Texas doctors that they need not fear retribution, but will instead be supported in their medical practice regarding their prescription of safe medications such as “H.”

Our state’s medical community leads in research, practice, and innovation. It is critically important to preserve and protect the doctor/patient relationship from governmental interference. I implore you to implement these requests immediately.

Blessings,

Angela S. Paxton,

Texas State Senator