Designated Doctor, Sovereign Immunity Bills Move to Senate

Two workers’ compensation bills — one addressing designated doctors and another retaliation claims by first responders — moved to the Texas state Senate last week after clearing the House of Representatives without a single dissenting vote.  The House voted Thursday to pass House Bill 2056, by Rene Oliveira, D-Brownsville, and HB 451, by Joe Moody, D-El Paso. HB 2056 would give the Texas Division of Workers’ Compensation access to contracts between designated doctors and their agents, and specifically access to information about scheduling, billing and organi...