Texas officials walk back $15 million proposed cuts to women’s and children's health services
The changes to the budget proposal come after lawmakers and advocates protested the previous plan would hurt vulnerable Texans. Full Story
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![A women’s health clinic in Texas.]()
Credit: Stephen Spillman for The Texas Tribune -
In shift, Texas begins publishing some data on coronavirus cases at child care centers
Without numbers on how many children or staff are in Texas child care facilities — which the state does not report — it’s hard to gauge the magnitude of infections. Full Story
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![A flurry of colors and activity, building time started the day for preschoolers at Greater Cornerstone Academy in North Dallas Oct. 9, 2018.]()
Credit: Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus outbreak at Houston-area nursing home kills 17 residents
The news comes as Texas resumes limited visitations in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities that meet certain requirements. Full Story
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![Paramedics disinfect a gurney in their ambulance before leaving a 131-bed nursing home in Tomball. The nursing home is the site where an elderly man lived before dying this week of a COVID-19 infection. March 20, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Cecile Young to lead Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Young, a longtime public servant, will take the helm of an agency of nearly 37,000 employees as it navigates a worsening pandemic and a host of lingering internal problems. Full Story
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![Texas Health and Human Services Commission Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young.]()
Credit: Texas Health and Human Services Commission -
As coronavirus cases surged, Texas’ contact tracing workforce shrunk
State health officials say they have enough workers to meet current needs, but some local health departments are scrambling to keep up. With 2,800 workers, Texas is still short of the governor's goal to have 4,000 people contact tracing. Full Story
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![A Kroger pharmacist explains how to administer the self-swab test at a COVID-19 testing site in the Fifth Ward in Houston on June 27, 2020.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Want a coronavirus test in Texas? You may have to wait for hours in a car.
Months into the pandemic, demand for coronavirus tests is soaring. Texans report problems with almost every facet of the testing process, starting with the glitching websites and unanswered phone lines used to schedule appointments, and extending to long lags before test results come back. Full Story
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![A line of about 100 cars formed at Barbara Jordan Elementary School in Austin while waiting at a COVID-19 testing site. June 26, 2020.]()
Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: For foster children in Texas, a state of despair
Texas isn't properly protecting the children in foster care, according to federal court monitors examining a system that's been dangerous to kids — in the view of the courts — for at least the last decade. Full Story
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![The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services offices in Austin on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Years after a judge ordered fixes, Texas’ child welfare system continues to expose children to harm, federal monitors say
Two independent experts appointed to scrutinize the system described “a disjointed and dangerous child protection system ... where harm to children is at times overlooked, ignored or forgotten.” Full Story
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![The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services offices in Austin on Nov. 14, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
As coronavirus hits Texas, the state's top health official is spending 30 hours a week on a second job — that pays $600,000
Acting Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson chose not to accept salary and benefits for a temporary position leading one of Texas’ largest and most high-profile agencies. Instead, he continues to earn $636,694 from the Lower Colorado River Authority, more than double what the previous health commissioner made. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas will test all residents and staff in state-run homes for people with disabilities
The test kits for residents of state supported living centers have been ordered and are on their way. The agency is “working on a broader plan to get the test kits for staff," a state official said. Full Story
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![A State Supported Living Center located in Austin on April 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas is testing everyone in nursing homes for coronavirus, but not state-run homes for people with disabilities
The facilities are still only testing residents and patients who are symptomatic or were potentially exposed to the virus, despite concerns raised by employees and family members about outbreaks. Full Story
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![A State Supported Living Center located in Austin on April 21, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Coronavirus tests are supposed to be free. Some Texans are still being saddled with large bills.
Congress directed most insurance companies to cover test costs for insured patients in March, and has promised to reimburse providers for testing those who are uninsured. But experts say there are gaps in the protection that can leave patients surprised with bills. Full Story
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![Mark Sonego at his apartment in Leon Springs on May 11, 2020.]()
Credit: Robin Jerstad for The Texas Tribune -
Texas still won't say which nursing homes have COVID-19 cases. Families are demanding answers.
Citing a state medical privacy law, Texas is refusing to release the names of long-term care facilities where residents have died from COVID-19, even as those case numbers soar and families plead for information. Full Story
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![David Aguirre’s mother, Estela, died March 28 at The Waterford at College Station, an assisted living facility in Texas. His brother, Art Aguirre, has been fighting for Texas leaders to disclose the locations of long-term care centers where COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred.]()
Credit: Mark Felix for The Texas Tribune -
Texas will not release information about coronavirus clusters at state-run homes for Texans with disabilities
Residents' families, restricted from visiting in an effort to stop the spread, are pleading for information. Even they aren’t being told how severe the outbreaks are where their loved ones live. Full Story
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![A State Supported Living Center located in Austin on April 21, 2020. Texas officials cite medical privacy laws to refrain from publicly disclosing cases of COVID-19 among staff and residents in state-supported living centers.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Medical offices are struggling during the pandemic. Texas health officials are proposing a $334 million lifeline.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission sent the request to Gov. Greg Abbott and a panel of state legislators. Full Story
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![Nurses Amber Phillips, left, and Kristen Howell administer COVID-19 tests at the Austin Regional Clinic drive-up testing center in Kyle on March 31, 2020.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas requests federal funding to cover coronavirus testing for the uninsured
The federal funds became available in mid-March. Texas has more than 5 million uninsured residents, or about 18% of its population, a higher rate than any other state. Full Story
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![A Legacy Community Health clinic in Houston on Feb. 7, 2018.]()
Credit: Pu Ying Huang for The Texas Tribune -
Expecting a rush of COVID-19 patients, hospitals prepare their most important resource: health care workers
With elective procedures canceled, hospitals are reassigning staff. But even the best-laid plans may go awry if clinicians fall ill in large numbers. Full Story
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![Outside the trauma center at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston on April 1, 2020.]()
Credit: Michael Stravato for The Texas Tribune -
Watch Gov. Greg Abbott give the latest on Texas' efforts to combat coronavirus
State health and education officials will join Abbott at 2 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday for an update on efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott declares a statewide emergency amid new cases of COVID-19 in the state on March 13, 2020 at the state capitol.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas cancels controversial Medicaid contracts after complaints of subjective scoring
"This decision is necessary to ensure the contract award processes are conducted with integrity, fairness and transparency," a spokeswoman for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission said. Full Story
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![The Brown Heatly Health and Human Services building in Austin, Texas on Nov. 29, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune -
For Texas' ill and immunocompromised, coronavirus brings a new threat and familiar precautions
“We are perpetually at risk,” said Shelby Chiles of Lewisville, who has a rare autoimmune disease. Full Story
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![Ken and Shannon Huehlefeld.]()
Credit: Courtesy of Shannon Huehlefeld
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