David L. McCartney MD, — who has practiced ophthalmology for over 30 years in West Texas and graduated with honors from University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio — in his op-ed for the Amarillo Globe-News:
West Texans deserve to trust that the doctor operating on their eyes successfully graduated from medical school and completed a nationally accredited residency training program under the supervision of physician educators...
...however, at our Texas Capitol, House Bill 1798 and Senate Bill 1223 would allow thousands of non-physician optometrists to perform more than 100 delicate eye surgeries without sufficient training.
The special interests pushing these unnecessary bills claim that optometry school plus a weekend workshop is equivalent to the many years that every ophthalmologist spends in rigorous medical and surgical training.
...these bills would create a faux medical and surgical pathway, with a legislatively propped-up facade that would do nothing but confuse patients.
You cannot manufacture qualified physicians and surgeons by mere passage of a law – Texans deserve better.
I believe that the oath all physicians take — “First, Do No Harm” — obligates us to prevent harm when we can do so.
Standing up against these bills is the right thing to do and keeps the promise to which I have committed my professional life.
If you agree with Dr. McCartney, then add your name in opposition to this dangerous bill.