Story Archive

Ill Advised

Since 1977, the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission has abolished 79 state regulatory agencies, saving the state around $945 million. Now, 19 more agencies are on their recommended chopping block, including those that license respiratory therapists, X-ray technicians, and medical physicists who calibrate radiologic equipment. “Everyone knows that radiation is a carcinogen,” said an incredulous Christine Lung of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. “If performed incorrectly, it’s a direct risk to public health and safety.” Respiratory therapists are similarly aghast. “If you’re not licensing people and doing criminal background checks on them every two years — which is what’s currently happening — you have no idea whether they’ve committed crimes, sexual assaults,” says Mark Barch, president of the Texas Society for Respiratory Care. Therapists who have lost their licenses in other states would simply flock to Texas to get jobs there. (RC/Killeen Daily Herald, WFAA Dallas) ...Meanwhile, you still need a license to cut hair in Texas.