The latest Health And Human Services Commission news from The Texas Tribune.
State officials have done a lot of work to stop sex trafficking in Texas, but the results revealed by the Tribune's Sold Out series are demoralizing. The state's own safety net is part of the pipeline for victims of trafficking. Full Story
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After three days of testimony from attorneys for the state and Planned Parenthood, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks is letting the reproductive health provider stay in Medicaid until Feb. 21. Full Story
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Showing multiple clips from a video released in 2015 by the anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress, state attorneys and witnesses said the footage was grounds for dismissing Planned Parenthood from Medicaid. Full Story
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Texas House and Senate leaders are starting out the legislative session nearly $8 billion apart according in dueling budget proposals released Tuesday. Among the sticking points: spending on public education and border security. Full Story
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Reproductive rights advocates have expressed concern that Texas lawmakers will take bolder steps in the upcoming session to defund abortion providers and dismantle access to abortion, birth control and other sexual health services. Full Story
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Here’s a look at the top health and human services storylines The Texas Tribune tracked this year. Full Story
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While Texas already has some of the strictest eligibility requirements in the country for welfare benefit applicants, some lawmakers plan to try again next year to add required drug screenings or testing to the process. Full Story
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The center had pledged in August to take legal action if the new fetal remains rules were adopted. Full Story
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The rules will prohibit hospitals, abortion clinics and other health care facilities from disposing of fetal remains in sanitary landfills, allowing only cremation or burial. Full Story
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Health workers and first responders hoped Texas might be awarded $1 million to buy an anti-overdose drug, but state officials never submitted the grant application. Full Story
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Taking in grandchildren can keep them out of the state's foster care system, but Texas often doesn't help grandparents who step up to do it. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott and other state officials are largely silent on why they haven't fulfilled their vow to cut off funds to women's health programs offered to poor Texas women by Planned Parenthood. Full Story
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The state government has been stable for long enough that those in charge should get tagged with what that government is doing wrong. Full Story
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The state health commission has begun advertising for someone to fill a new executive job overseeing “women’s education services” — including abstinence education and counseling on alternatives to abortion. The position could pay six figures. Full Story
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A significant cut to the amount of money Texas pays therapists who treat children with disabilities was finally cleared to take effect when the Texas Supreme Court on Friday declined to hear a lawsuit over the budget cut's legality. Full Story
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Despite intense outcry from the medical community and reproductive rights advocates, Texas isn't budging on a proposed rule to require the cremation or burial of fetal remains. Full Story
State Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, on Thursday proposed creating an "MD Anderson of the brain" on the site of the troubled Austin State Hospital. Full Story
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Cuts in the state's payments to therapy providers who see children with disabilities remain tied up in court, but Texas officials said Thursday they have made about $58 million in cuts from other parts of the health care budget. Full Story
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Comments by high-ranking Texas Republicans indicate that the state’s long-running tug-of-war with the federal government over Medicaid expansion is unlikely to change course. Full Story
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State regulators have opened the public comment period on some proposed changes they hope will improve standards at day care centers around Texas. But advocates say the agency is missing one important item: better caretaker to child ratios in day cares. Full Story