University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) could soon be allowed to change hiring practices to tackle doctor shortages under a bill that cleared the state Senate April 19. The bill – by state Senator José Rodríguez – gives hospitals the ability to directly employ doctors, dentists and other health care providers, rather than contract with them. Texas is one of five states in the country that bans the corporate practice of medicine. The reasoning given for the law has been that a doctor's primary concern should be the patient and not the hospital's financial interests. The bill is now headed to the House. A similar by state Representative Naomi Gonzalez has passed the House and is now in the Senate.

Article                   Opinion