1. (a) This chapter does not authorize a physician or podiatrist to perform medical or podiatric acts that are beyond the scope of the respective license held.

2. (b) This chapter does not prevent the governing body of a hospital from providing that:

   1. (1) a podiatric patient be coadmitted to the hospital by a podiatrist and a physician;
   2. (2) a physician be responsible for the care of any medical problem or condition of a podiatric patient that may exist at the time of admission or that may arise during hospitalization and that is beyond the scope of the podiatrist's license; or
   3. (3) a physician determine the risk and effect of a proposed podiatric surgical procedure on the total health status of the patient.
3. (c) An applicant for medical staff membership may not be denied membership solely on the ground that the applicant is a podiatrist rather than a physician.
4. (d) This chapter does not automatically entitle a physician or a podiatrist to membership or privileges on a medical staff.

5. (e) The governing body of a hospital may not require a member of the medical staff to involuntarily:

   1. (1) coadmit patients with a podiatrist;
   2. (2) be responsible for the care of any medical problem or condition of a podiatric patient; or
   3. (3) determine the risk and effect of any proposed podiatric procedure on the total health status of the patient.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.