The latest Health And Human Services Commission news from The Texas Tribune.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold federal health reform — but to make the Medicaid expansion it requires essentially optional — has created, in the words of Donald Rumsfeld, a lot of “known unknowns” for Texas. Full Story
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From the evolution of state and federally subsidized contraception to the battle over Planned Parenthood to the cost of unplanned pregnancies, this six-part series is the most comprehensive look yet at the politics of reproductive health in Texas. Full Story
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Use our interactive map to chart the locations of health care providers participating in Texas' Women's Health Program. Flip through various map styles to compare women's health statistics statewide, or get a video tutorial here. Full Story
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The Department of Family and Protective Services is moving forward on redesigning its foster care system, which will outsource services to private contractors. At a hearing Monday, some raised concerns about accountability. Full Story
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A new state health program launched this week aims to reduce the number of women on Medicaid whose newborns require costly neonatal intensive care. Full Story
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Democratic legislators have asked the health commissioner to halt a proposed rule, stemming from legislation introduced by Rep. Bill Zedler, that would require women seeking abortions to report more personal information. Full Story
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The presidents of Texas’ five biggest private hospital systems have asked Gov. Rick Perry for a sit-down meeting, saying negotiations with the state's health agency over how they’re reimbursed for uncompensated care have deteriorated. Full Story
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First, the state’s Medicaid director announced he was retiring. Now, Health and Human Services chief Tom Suehs says he hasn’t decided whether he will quit in August. Will HHSC rival public education for next session's biggest leadership void? Full Story
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Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs, who has overseen the state's massive health agency since 2009, is retiring at the end of August. Full Story
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Last year, almost 30,000 elderly Texans were victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation. As Matt Largey of KUT News reports, the problem is especially pronounced in Central Texas, where the elderly population is growing rapidly. Full Story
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Billy Millwee, who oversees the state's giant Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance programs, will retire in August. He has directed the health coverage plans, which account for nearly a quarter of the state's total budget, since early 2010. Full Story
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With the state government tightening its belt, there are now 10,200 fewer state government employees, according to our latest analysis of data collected by the state auditor’s office. Full Story
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The clock is ticking for reproductive health clinics that are affiliated with abortion providers — the state will force Planned Parenthood and others like them out of the Women’s Health Program early next month. Full Story
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In part two of "Fertile Ground," our occasional series on the battle over family planning, we go to West Texas to look at a fight that has centered on Planned Parenthood. Full Story
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Health care providers are lacking across the vast expanses of rural Texas, and the problem could be worsening. The Tribune created an interactive map to illustrate just how few physicians there are in some parts of the state. Full Story
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The federal government awarded Texas $61 million today for new and improved community health centers across the state. Full Story
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A federal judge's ruling this morning means that the state may begin removing Planned Parenthood and other so-called abortion "affiliates" from the Women's Health Program, despite a district judge's Monday ruling to the contrary. Full Story
The first part in our occasional series examining the battle over family planning in Texas considers the impact of lawmakers' orders to reduce spending on birth control and cancer screenings. A UT-Austin research group is beginning to track the fallout. Full Story
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Part of an HBO documentary series on obesity was screened Monday in Austin. Comptroller Susan Combs, who appears in the series, emphasized at the screening that parents need to take charge of their children's health. Full Story
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UPDATED: Texas health officials have delivered their much-anticipated plans for taking over the Medicaid Women's Health Program. They want to assume full responsibility in November. Federal officials say they're considering the plan. Full Story