TSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS SUMMARY OF ACTIONS FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Summary of Actions
TSA Board of Directors
February 10, 2013

1. Approved motion that the TSA encourage all members to report to the FDA any medication short falls as well as issues with medication purity, content and concentration.
2. Approved motion to charge Tim M. Bittenbinder, TSA Membership Committee Chair, with forming a sub-committee of members from the Membership Committee, or any other committee he deems appropriate, to explore ways to show TSA’s relevance to anesthesia groups and report back to the Board with a specific plan in May.
3. Informed the Board that the Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) taskforce chaired by Dr. Crystal Wright has drafted a Truth and Transparency Bill. The Committee is currently looking at the appropriate legislator to carry the Bill.
4. Noted that due to the commitment of the Texas Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House to restore GME funding to its previous levels, the GAC does not believe there is a need for any legislative action at this time. The GAC will continue to monitor and advocate the budgetary process to assure that the restoration of funds is adequate.
5. Recognized Dr. Thomas Oliverson for his testimony to the Texas Medical Board (TMB) concerning office-based anesthesia (OBA). The TMB passed the rules with TSA’s recommendations on Friday, February 8, 2013.
6. Informed the Board that the GAC is in the process of drafting a Bill that addreses the importance of the TMB having the authority to regulate an OBA setting.
7. Informed the Board that SB 406 carried by Sen. Jane Nelson, drafted by TMA Council on Legislation, will formalize legislative language for the role of a physician as the supervising entity in a care-team setting, specifically with Schedule II narcotics.
8. Addressed the issue of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) approving a BSN-DNP track in nurse anesthesia.
9. Approved motion to charge the TSA Judicial Committee with reviewing the testimony presented during the THECB hearing on December 12, 2012 and determining if it is in conflict with the TSA’s Mission Statement. A report of the Committee’s findings and recommendations is due to the Board no later than May 19, 2013.
10. Discussed concern with the Attorney General’s opinion made in 1999.  The opinion does not address what an anesthesiologist does – diagnose and treat.
11. Approved motion to charge the TSA GAC with reviewing and developing a statement that defines the Practice of Anesthesia and present recommendations to the TSA Board at the GAC’s earliest convenience.
12. Informed the Board that the Texas Department of Insurance PPO and EPO rules will be published and adopted during the week of February 10, 2013.
13. Approved motion that contacts for legal counsel be directed through Clayton Stewart, TSA Director of Governmental Affairs.
14. Approved motion to accept the Circle of Friends list of potential speakers for the annual Betty P. Stephenson Lectureship. The Circle of Friends will begin reaching out to the potential lecturers.
15. Approved motion to host the art exhibit at the TSA 2013 Annual Meeting and to table discussion concerning the budget for the exhibit until the TSA Board of Directors meeting on May 19, 2013.
16. Approved motion to provide funding for all three residents currently serving on the GAC Advisory Board to attend the 2013 ASA Legislative Conference.
17. Charged the GAC with developing criteria for residents who wish to serve on the GAC Advisory Board. The President-Elect will still be responsible for the final appointments.
18. Approved proposed adjustments to the current budget.
19. Approved the minutes of the September 9, 2012 TSA Board of Directors Meeting as written.
20. Approved the following TSA House of Delegates Appointments: