The latest health care news from The Texas Tribune.
Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in the U.S., resulting in absenteeism, diminished productivity and increased turnover. In this segment of in this episode of Mental Health Matters, we look at several legislative and employer-based policies that strive to support workers and strengthen businesses and the economy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/06/Workplace.jpg)
This segment of Mental Health Matters highlights work that provides more effective school-based mental health programs to improve the lives of the most vulnerable population, when budgets are tight and infrastructure may be lacking. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/06/Children.jpg)
Across the state, many people with mental illness can’t find, or can’t afford, care. This episode of Mental Health Matters explores what policies and programs people can access to get effective help. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/06/Eps6.jpg)
Service members returning from war can face a higher risk of mental health issues. This segment of Mental Health Matters looks at Texas programs that help veterans reintegrate and reduce their exposure to substance abuse, homelessness and incarceration. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/06/Veterans.jpg)
Two special masters appointed by a federal judge to oversee reforms at the state's troubled foster care system have started work, and the tab is running. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/21/child-foster.jpg)
Dorothy Barrera hoped she and her late husband would eventually be together again at the San Domingo Cemetery, but she says the cemetery association refused to allow her husband's burial because he was Hispanic. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/04/Seal_Cemetary_03.jpg)
Charles Smith, a longtime ally of Gov. Greg Abbott, will be the next executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the governor announced Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/03/Smith-Charles.jpg)
Nonprofit providers of pediatric therapy services say sweeping budget cuts ordered by state lawmakers will jeopardize the Early Childhood Intervention program in particular. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/05/02/20160429-TXT-Richmond001.jpg)
The Obama administration has agreed to temporarily keep some federal money flowing into Texas to help hospitals treat uninsured patients, despite the state's refusal to offer health coverage to low-income adults. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/21/MedicaidMoney.jpg)
Texas lawmakers tout recent improvements to the state’s mental health safety net, citing new funding and program expansions. But the state still struggles to provide psychiatric care for all patients who need it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/04/29/IMG_5042.jpg)
Texas public university officials told lawmakers on Thursday that scientific research using human fetal tissue was limited in scope but crucial to medical advances. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/04/28/6F6A9010.jpg)
Sixteen years ago, CPS staffers accused Gary and Melissa Gates of abuse and removed their 13 children from their home. That case fizzled quickly, but the allegations and ensuing legal fight continue to provide fodder for Gates' political opponents. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-NoWayOff-TS001.JPG)
Texas lawmakers will meet Thursday to examine policies on how human fetal tissue can be used for scientific research. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/03/29/IMG_0229.jpg)
In this week's edition of the Trib+Health newsletter: Dallas scientists launch new effort that could help some patients with autism, the head of the Health and Human Services Commission announces he's retiring and a warning on using antihistamines before a workout. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/03/Trib-Plus-Health-leadart002.jpg)
A tiger left roaming the streets of Conroe after last week's floods has unearthed a unique complication: There are few statewide regulations regarding dangerous wild animals in Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/04/26/Conroe_Tiger.jpg)
For more than two decades, federal and state health officials have known that residents of a poor community in the Rio Grande Valley are eating fish laced with unsafe levels of toxic chemicals, but they haven't found a way to stop it. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/04/21/04_13_2016_Donna_Lake_-_dy-9.jpg)
Chris Traylor, the head of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, has confirmed he will retire from the agency at the end of next month, ending a 26-year career in public service. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5b762fe5749a3a09fffebc8a3a2ba237/BD%20Inc%20Speaker%20095%202012)
Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Chris Traylor plans to retire at the end of May after 11 months on the job, according to sources briefed on the decision. Full Story
A Texas appeals court delivered a big loss on Thursday to a group of home health agencies and parents of children with disabilities who sued the state over payment cuts to in-home therapy providers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/09/28/Medicaid-Capitol-3.jpg)
The state’s child welfare agency faces a $40 million budget shortfall, a critical shortage of good homes for foster children and overwhelming caseloads for staff, agency leaders told state lawmakers at a hearing on Wednesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/04/20/IMG_4325.jpg)