Still Practicing | KXAN Austin

February 2022 marked five years since Texas neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch – dubbed “Dr. Death” – was sentenced to life in prison, revealing how easy it can be for dangerous doctors to transfer between hospitals. Now, KXAN finds Texas patients aren’t getting all of the information they need about some doctors’ histories. Our team searched thousands of disciplinary records from more than a dozen states, showing some physicians coming to Texas to leave their pasts behind – a discovery prompting the Texas Medical Board and lawmakers to promise change.

Part 1: Gone to Texas

KXAN spent three months pulling thousands of physician disciplinary records from medical boards across the country, cross-referencing them with Texas’ physician portal.

Part 2: Records Still Secret

If the National Practitioner Data Bank ever were to be opened to the public, it would require an act of Congress. That, experts say, is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Part 3: One Doctor, Two States

KXAN looked at one physician licensed in both Texas and North Carolina – a state a recent study found among the most transparent in the country for health care – to see how Texas compares.

Part 4: Push for Change

After KXAN’s reporting, the Texas Medical Board proposes doctors should self-report discipline within 30 days. But at least one state lawmaker is pushing for more change to the system.

Part 5: Deemed a ‘Threat’

The first duty of medicine is to “do no harm.” But is the Texas Medical Board letting doctors with dangerous pasts still practice? That’s what a TMB whistleblower and patient advocates fear.

Part 6: Patients & Politics

Texas’ governor tapped top-dollar donors to sit on the Texas Medical Board – some with no obvious patient advocacy or medical experience, a KXAN investigation revealed.

Part 7: National Attention

An expert panel at the Association of Health Care Journalists’ annual conference attempts to answer the question: “10 years after ‘Dr. Death,’ are patients any safer from bad doctors?”

Part 8: Calls for Reform

A fifth state lawmaker – a Texas State Senator – is now looking to propose legislation next session in response to a series of KXAN investigations into the Texas Medical Board.

Part 9: Candidate’s Criticism

Following KXAN’s coverage, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke is pledging, if elected, to increase patient safety statewide by transforming the Texas Medical Board.

Part 10: Rule Change Approved

The Texas Medical Board votes on a major rule change for patient safety, a direct result of KXAN’s investigation. Also, for the first time, the board’s president answers our questions.

Part 11: Secret Malpractice Suits

KXAN analyzed medical malpractice lawsuits filed in Texas over the last decade. 97% were settled out of court or handled by a judge – outcomes which can legally be kept secret.

Part 12: National Reform Unlikely

Eight members of Congress would not speak on this issue, including Senate health leaders. Only a Texas congressman – and doctor – who opposes changes agreed to be interviewed.

Part 13: Legislator Drafts Bill

In direct response to KXAN’s investigation into medical error transparency, a state lawmaker is proposing several fixes and has already drafted a bill for the upcoming session.

Part 14: Bill Filed After KXAN Report

A yearlong series of KXAN investigations results in a major transparency bill filed, aimed at reforming the Texas Medical Board and forcing more focus on patient safety.

Part 15: House Committee Hearing

A state lawmaker says she filed a “meaningful” patient safety bill in direct response to a series of KXAN reports into systems that allow problem doctors to keep practicing in Texas.

Part 16: KXAN Testifies to Senate

Our team testifies about doctors with problematic pasts – and the transparency troubles surrounding patient safety in Texas – as state Senators consider new accountability bills.

Part 17: House Passes Reform Bill

The Texas House overwhelmingly passes a bill aimed at reforming the Texas Medical Board. The bill is sparked by KXAN reporting, potentially impacting all Texas patients.

Part 18: House Bill to Senate Floor

A patient safety bill aimed at protecting Texans from dangerous doctors must clear the full Texas Senate to continue a path to the governor in the session’s final days.

Part 19: Senate Passes House Bill

A bill to reform the Texas Medical Board and protect patients clears the Senate and now heads back to the House for a final review before going to the governor.

Part 20: Bill Heads to Governor

A major bipartisan bill aimed at protecting patients from dangerous doctors received final approval with a House vote of 120-16. It now goes to the governor.

Part 21: Governor Signs Bill

Gov. Greg Abbott signs a major patient safety bill into law, capping a bipartisan achievement to reform the Texas Medical Board and, supporters believe, save lives.

Part 22: Law Goes Into Effect

A major doctor transparency and patient safety plan becomes law, but watchdogs worry over the two-year timeframe it will take the state to roll it out completely.

Part 23: Law Draws Concern

Just weeks after a new patient safety law takes effect, some advocates say it’s creating confusion – not confidence – when it comes to doctor discipline transparency.

Part 24: Comedy of Errors

Comedian John Oliver kicked off Patient Safety Awareness Week by highlighting KXAN’s investigation into doctor transparency in an episode of Last Week Tonight on Max.