Following intense public backlash, the Texas Medical Board (TMB) has reinstated a doctor’s license that it suspended just last month.
The board suspended the license of Dr. Eric Hensen, an otolaryngologist practicing in Palestine, Texas, after he reportedly refused to follow a mask order issued by Governor Greg Abbott in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As The Dallas Express previously reported, Dr. Hensen filed a lawsuit against the Texas Medical Board following the suspension.
The TMB first took action in 2021, sending Hensen a letter outlining his alleged violation of the governor’s mask mandate and ordering him to turn over copies of patient medical records and office health policies.
In addition, Hensen was ordered to comply with a remediation plan that included continuing medical education, a $500 fine, completing a jurisprudence test, and other requisites. The board allegedly threatened to reprimand Hensen on a national medical database if he refused to comply with the demands.
However, Hensen was reportedly unable to complete all of the remediation plan’s requirements by the stated deadline, and his license was subsequently suspended.
The board’s action sparked debate on social media, with many supporting the board’s decision and others siding with Dr. Hensen.
Now, the TMB has backtracked, but Hensen is continuing his lawsuit.
Paul M. Davis, Hensen’s legal counsel, announced the Texas Medical Board’s decision and his intention to continue the lawsuit on Twitter.
“I’m happy to announce that the Texas Medical Board has reinstated my client, Dr. Eric Hensen, to Medical practice after suspending his license last week for his refusal to follow their 2020 mask mandate.”
Davis added that publicity helped incentivize the Texas Medical Board to change its decision.
“I think the public pressure from conservative media helped tremendously. And yes, we are still gonna sue the board members responsible for this outrageous tyranny.”
After initially ordering that masks be worn in most public spaces in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott banned forced masking in most public places in 2021.
