🟡Relating to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel.

HB 923

🟡 HB 923: Expands medical disclosure panel but keeps physician control

What it says it does:
HB 923 expands the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel from 9 to 13 members. It adds three public seats, one reserved for someone with health literacy expertise, and updates attorney representation so one must have experience with patients and another with providers.

What it actually changes:
Physicians gain an extra seat, from 6 to 7, and no vote can take place unless most of them are physically present. The panel may meet and discuss issues without that majority, but formal decisions must wait. Public members are restricted from working in any health-related field, including insurance. All appointments are made by the HHSC executive commissioner.

Who is pushing for it:
Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez authored the bill with Rep. Jeff Leach as co-author and Sen. César Blanco sponsoring it in the Senate. Support came from patient advocates like Texas Watch, Patient Safety Action Network, and AARP Texas. HHSC participated in drafting and will manage implementation.

Who benefits:
Physician organizations retain procedural control through the quorum rule. The executive commissioner gains appointment power. Patient groups gain formal seats but limited voting influence.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Experienced patient advocates who have ever worked in health or insurance fields can be disqualified. Public members cannot move a vote forward without physician participation, meaning real input depends on attendance.

Why this matters long term:
It sets a pattern where “public representation” exists on paper, but control stays with professional blocs through attendance rules and centralized appointments. It could become a model for future boards that appear open while staying internally gated.

What to watch next:
HHSC rulemaking will define what “advocating for the public interest” means and select the new members by January 1, 2026. The details of that process will determine whether these public seats bring balance or remain symbolic.

Bottom line:
HB 923 looks like it broadens participation, but the power structure remains top-heavy. The public may get a seat at the table, yet physicians still hold the gavel.

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