What's happening to Murray's medical licenses?

It might surprise you that Dr. Conrad Murray could practice medicine in Texas right now, though he would have to stay away from the anesthetics.

Murray is licensed to practice medicine in Texas, Nevada, and California. In Sessioncontacted the medical boards of those three states to find out the status and future of Murray's ability to practice medicine.

The Texas Medical Board Public Information Officer Leigh Hopper says Murray agreed to a disciplinary order from the Texas Medical Board last year prohibiting him from administering any anesthetic, including propofol and other heavy sedatives normally used as a general anesthetic.

However, the disciplinary order says Murray can still prescribe any other medications -- including, but not limited to pain and anti-anxiety medications or local or topical anesthetics. 

The same rules would apply in Nevada, but Murray can't practice there because he didn't renew his license.

Deputy Executive Director for the Nevada Medical Board Edward Cousineau says Dr. Murray has close to two years to reinstate his license by paying his dues.

As for California, Judge Michael Pastor suspended Murray's license there, pending the outcome of the involuntary manslaughter trial resulting from Michael Jackson's death. That means that currently Murray can't legally practice medicine in any capacity in California. Click here to read Pastor's order restricting Murray's license.

If Murray is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, his medical licenses in California, Nevada and Texas could be in jeopardy.

Representatives from the medical boards of California, Nevada, and Texas say their boards will make their final determinations regarding Murray's licenses after the trial. If there's a guilty verdict, all three medical boards could take a number of actions, including revoking his licenses.

But if the jury finds Murray not guilty, that does not guarantee he will maintain his ability to practice medicine. The representatives from all three states say their boards could act independently on whether or not they will take disciplinary action against the doctor. 

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Comments

[Cilla Mitchell]

Leigh Hopper is the spokes woman for the Texas Medical Board. She has responded to family members who demanded accountability in the death of their loved ones through the hands of negligent, reckless, homicidal doctors with her letters stating why the Texas Medical Board did not find any wrong doing with, "we judge the guilt of the doctors through their demeanor." Excuse me? Their demeanor? Is this a new scientific development in determining guilt? I believe this answer is indicative of the mentality of the Texas Medical Board. Arrogant, insensitive, and inappropriate.

However, since Governor Rick Perry signed the 2003 Tort Reform Act, the Texas Medical Board is now beholding to him since he appointed about half their members, including the president, Dr. Irve Zeitler, who has allowed countless of negligent doctors to inflict collateral damage upon Texans under his watch. The Texas Medical Board is the true definition of a "kangaroo court". No accountability. No justice. Failure to police after their own. One member who also sits on the board is a geologist. A geologist! Might as well have an animal control specialist for all the sense it makes.

If the Jackson family lived in Texas and they were not a high profile case, Dr. Conrad would have been free to practice medicine without having any disciplinary measures taken against him. I am grateful there is still justice somewhere still left in this country.

In Texas, the 7th Amendment has died a slow unceremonious death thanks to Governor Rick Perry. The only justice left in this state to avenge our loved ones is to take the law into our own hands. Is this what we have evolved into?