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Equal Protection: Veterinarians Must Physically Examine Animals before Telemedicine Advice, But Doctors Have no such Requirement for Patients

Hines v. Quillivan, no. 19-40605  (5th Cir. Dec. 2, 2020). Reversing and remanding on the dismissal of a First Amendment claim but affirming dismissal of an Equal Protection claim, the Fifth Circuit finds Texas' prohibition against veterinarians providing telemedicine advice unless they have actually seen the animal in question-even though medical doctors are not bound by that restriction-is supported by rational basis. This opinion opens with the question presented: "Does a veterinarian have a right to engage in telemedicine for a pet...