In Unusual Move, Texas Medical Association Endorses Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate

The Texas Medical Association on April 20 endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Sanchez after he pledged to sign prompt-pay legislation, the AP/Ft. Worth Star Telegram reports. While the association typically endorses Republicans, Gov. Rick Perry (R) "angered" the group last year when he vetoed the final version of a bill designed to speed insurance company payments to doctors. The association's political action committee voted to back Sanchez because he supports "helping doctors get paid for their work." Sanchez said he would be "proud" to sign such legislation and would make improving the state's health care system his "top priority" if elected. He also said he would work on medical malpractice reform and border health, the AP/Star Telegram reports. Perry campaign spokesperson Ray Sullivan said that Perry vetoed the payment bill because it would have "discouraged alternative dispute resolution and binding arbitration" in favor of litigation. Sullivan added that Perry would sign a payment bill that does not increase litigation between health plans and doctors. Perry has been backed by the Texas Hospital Association and other health care groups (Lee, AP/Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, 4/21).