First Tuesday at the Capitol
My First First Tuesday —
I have wanted to participate in a First Tuesday for years,
but always found an excuse not to sign up — usually,
I was simply “too busy.” But this year, I made the time.
March 2019 Dallas Medical Journal 5
From rookie to veteran in just one day
In February, I participated in my first First Tuesday at the Capitol, a
TMA event on the first Tuesday of every month during the 140-day
legislative session. Although Feb. 5 was my first, it was the 37th First
Tuesday and ninth legislative session since the TMA and TMA Alliance
initiated the program in 2003. On the first Tuesday of February,
March, April, and May in odd-numbered years, physicians from across
the state go to Austin, don their white coats, and meet with lawmakers
about healthcare issues.
On this trip I met a physician who attended the inaugural First
Tuesday, joined by fewer than 20 physicians from around the state.
On the day I attended, more than 200 physicians and students took
part — the biggest first First Tuesday ever!
The program was launched in a landmark year that saw the Texas
Miracle … the passage of House Bill 4, the Tort Reform Act, in large
part due to the work of Texas physicians advocating for relief from
punitive tort laws.
2003 also was the year of my first foray in Texas politics, when
legislators were considering a bill regarding gestational carriers in
fertility treatments. I contacted my colleagues to urge them to call
their state representatives to support the bill. During this time I
learned about the legislative process, starting with the filing of the
bill, which then must be scheduled by the Calendars Committee, go
through committee hearings, be passed by the House and Senate, and,
ultimately, signed by our governor. Frankly, I’m amazed that any bill
becomes a law.
Legislators are expected to file more than 7,000 bills this session —
1,500 of which will relate to the practice of medicine. Our DCMS and
TMA advocacy teams keep up with them for you.
To prepare for our legislative visits, DCMS First Tuesday
participants met via conference call with Darren Whitehurst, TMA
Vice President of Advocacy. We discussed TMA’s “Healthy Vision
2025,” a 30-page publication that reviews TMA positions on issues
with sections including “Let Doctors be Doctors” and “Boost Access
to Care.” The section titled “Make Motherhood Safe” hit home
because it began with an account by Eugene Hunt, MD, chair of our
department at Texas Presbyterian Dallas, about a case with which I
was familiar. He recounts the story of a patient who suffered from
postpartum depression. Last year, when I heard that TMA was looking
for physician stories, I referred Dr. Hunt’s case to the TMA. I felt I
contributed in a small way toward Medicine’s agenda.
I flew to Austin Monday afternoon and joined a dinner sponsored
by Texans for Lawsuit Reform that was attended by Lt. Gov. Dan
Patrick and eight senators, including Drs. Dawn Buckingham and
Charles Schwertner.
Tuesday began with a 6:45 breakfast, during which TMA lobbyists
briefed us on proposals regarding scope of practice, insurance coverage
and balance billing, advanced directives and GME. Although bills
addressing our interests had not all been filed (deadline is March 8), we
were urged to discuss several with our representatives, including
SB 21, which increases the age to buy tobacco and e-cigarette products
to 21; HB 11, which gives the author of an advanced directive priority
over a surrogate; and SB 329, which gives parents the right to know
the percentage of unvaccinated children on a specific school campus,
rather than only district wide, as is the current law.
Just after 8 a.m., armed with our schedules and leave-behinds for
legislators, the white jacket brigade invaded the Capitol and spread out
in hallways and offices. The building is beautiful and impressive —
inside and out — and filled with history. Photographs of legislators
and legislative chambers from sessions past adorn the hallways. The
earliest photograph I found was of the Senate of the 21st legislative
session, 1889. Although this was not my first visit to the Capitol,
viewing the majestic chambers with dark-paneled wood and magenta
bunting is never dull.
The day was particularly special because Gov. Greg Abbott gave his
State of the State address, with all its pomp and circumstance, and I
witnessed it from the House gallery. Although I have seen many State
of the Union addresses on television, this was the first time I saw a
State of the State address ... and in person!
As a First Tuesday first-timer, I was relieved that my traveling group
included First Tuesday veterans. We met with Sen. Bob Hall, whose
district includes Mesquite and Garland; Rep. Eric Johnson, who
represents areas of Dallas and Mesquite; Angela Paxton, newly elected
senator who represents part of northern Dallas County; and Sen.
Schwertner, a Georgetown orthopaedist. We had a hallway discussion
with my state rep, Morgan Meyer, as he headed to the governor’s
address. I was disappointed I was unable to meet my senator, Nathan
Johnson, but our meeting conflicted with the governor’s speech,
and lawmakers were expected to attend. Overall, our senators and
representatives were friendly and courteous, and seemed genuinely
interested in our viewpoints regarding our issues.
After my first First Tuesday, I’m more knowledgeable about the
legislative process, and I recognize that First Tuesday is not a one-anddone
event, but a full-court press throughout the session. I plan to
attend my second in March. Join me? DMJ
Samuel J. Chantilis, MD
Dr. Chantilis was surprised to
learn that the February First
Tuesday also is the day for
rattlers in the rotunda.
See page 28 for more photos.
Dr. Chantilis practices reproductive endocrinology and fertility,
and serves on the DCMS board of directors.