Texas: Bad doctor magnet?

In 2003, the state of Texas instituted a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages in medical malpractice suits, and made it more difficult for patients to sue doctors, hospitals and nursing homes. At the same time, the state legislature abolished the Office of Patient Protection. I have long suspected that the law could make Texas a magnet for dangerous doctors looking to fly below the radar screen of the legal system. Well, I didn't have to look far for confirmation of that theory. The nonprofit group Texas Watch recently discovered that the Texas Medical Board has granted a temporary medical license to an ob/gyn who had her license suspended in two states and who was the subject of numerous malpractice suits.

The Washington Post reported in 2005 that the Duke Medical Center in North Carolina had fired Dr. Pamela L. Johnson because of high surgical complication rates. In New Mexico, she was sued by a man whose  wife bled to death after Johnson delivered their son. Despite the Post story, which noted that the woman had applied for a license in Texas, the state medical board has decided to give Johnson a license (with a few restrictions). I guess the board members don't have to worry that they'll end up in her care. But look out women of Texas! Ob/gyns like these make cab drivers seem like a viable alternative...