The latest federal health reform news from The Texas Tribune.
Former gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina took her free market politics to the Texas Senate on Thursday, sharing a lively debate with lawmakers on the Health and Human Services Committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/39449755f6988c89446ef2984dd83fd9/BD%20INC%20GOP%20Debate%20575%202009)
The uncertainty over the Congressional healthcare bill has incited fear among some small business associations in Texas. They gathered with U.S. Chamber of Commerce representatives on Tuesday to say they're worried about ripple effects from the national healthcare reform — and unintended consequences for small businesses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/103109_medical002_jv.png)
The debate over how much federal health care reform will cost Texas put the state’s health and human services chief on the defensive on Wednesday, as he presented a budget estimate that is 20 times higher than federal projections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ac59f25ab80de3bd6ef9926a622bfba1/BD%20INC%20Thomas%20Suehs%202010)
State officials painted a grim picture of how much the federal health care reform will cost Texas, and cautioned lawmakers on Wednesday that the price tag will likely grow. Full Story
The former secretary of state talked foreign policy, partisan politics and the national debt at an event co-presented by the Tribune, the Center for Politics and Governance at UT's LBJ School of Public Affairs, and the LBJ Library. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/87f047514ad3bad9cb72e921feea1026/BD%20INC%20James%20Baker%20221%202010)
Attorney General Greg Abbott is suing the feds for mandating that individuals buy health insurance. Some Texas political observers say Abbott did exactly that in 2009. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/449ec7d6dea11eec4a202c1caeb90913/BD%20INC%20Greg%20Abbott%20Archival%202010)
U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, produced an upbeat video mea culpa after he yelled "baby killer" on the floor of the U.S. House Sunday night. Check it out. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Screen_shot_2010-03-23_at_1.59.36_PM.png)
President Barack Obama signed the health care reform bill into law this morning. Texas and 12 other states promptly filed a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality. Read that lawsuit here. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Screen_shot_2010-03-23_at_12.22.49_PM.png)
Listen to Attorney General Greg Abbott explain why he and other attorneys general are suing the federal government over the just-passed health care reform bill. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Screen_shot_2010-03-22_at_8.41.56_AM.png)
Did you miss your Texas lawmaker's floor speech on health care reform yesterday? No fear. C-SPAN's new video library (still in beta) has the video for you. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/cspan.jpg)
"I have apologized to Mr. Stupak and also apologize to my colleagues for the manner in which I expressed my disappointment about the bill," says U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/RandyNeugebauer.png)
An elected official shouted "Baby killer!" at Bart Stupak, D-Michigan, and a California Republican is saying it was a Texan. Which Texan? "The people who know won't give it up," he says. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Screen_shot_2010-03-21_at_10.53.27_PM.png)
House lawmakers passed the Senate version of long-awaited health care reform on Sunday night. And Texas leaders were quick to fire off on it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/012610_medicalreform.jpg)
"It's just a question of whether to file our own lawsuit or join a multistate effort," says Attorney General Greg Abbott. Full Story
The Laredo congressman will support federal health care reform legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/henry-cuellar.jpg)
Laredo Congressman Henry Cuellar is one of the last undecided House members mulling over the federal health care bill. He still has a few concerns. Full Story
Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Joe Straus sent a firmly-worded letter to members of Congress today, urging them to vote against health care reform in Washington, or, as they dub it, "the federal government's takeover of health care." A vote is expected on Sunday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/hc_letter.jpg)
The thought of receiving care from a drug-addicted caregiver — even a rehabilitated one — makes many patients shudder. But Texas routinely gives nurses with substance abuse problems second chances. At any given time, 600 to 700 nurses are enrolled in a rehabilitation program intended to help them kick their addictions and get back to work. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/pillbottle.jpg)
This week begins the final push to pass federal healthcare reform legislation, and the Democrats will have to do it without the help of U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/chet-edwards.jpg)
Texas' senior care industry — still reeling from federal Medicare cuts — may face another financial blow, as the state considers reducing Medicaid provider rates to balance the budget in the face of a $10 billion-plus shortfall. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/medicade.jpg)