Senators Approve Partial Consolidation of Health Agencies
The Texas Senate on Wednesday tentatively approved a measure to partially consolidate the state’s massive health and human services system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/SunsetEthics_1.jpg)
-
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman / Jessica Schaefers -
New in Trib+Health: Senate is Set to Act on "Doc Fix"
In this week's edition of the Trib+Health newsletter: U.S. Senate is set to vote on a long awaited "doc fix" on Medicare rate cuts, Kyle Janek remains on the hot seat and an interview with Anka Vujanovic of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/03/Trib-Plus-Health-leadart002.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Senate Votes to Close Austin Institution
The Austin State Supported Living Center will be the first closed, but more are to come as the state continues moving away from residential centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/AustinStateSchool_wideroom.jpg)
![Austin State-Supported Living Center employee Tamika Mays is shown with resident Rebecca Hadnot in 2011.]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman -
House Approves Heart Exams for High School Athletes
Almost three years after a Texas high school football player died from sudden cardiac arrest, the Texas House has tentatively approved mandatory electrocardiograms for high school athletes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/10/CodyStephens.jpg)
![Cody Stephens, a Crosby High School football player, died in 2012 of sudden cardiac arrest.]()
Credit: The Cody Stephens Go Big or Go Home Foundation -
Uncertainty Haunts Commissioner Kyle Janek
Two reports have criticized Health Commissioner Kyle Janek’s leadership. Three state lawmakers have called for his resignation. And a contract awarded to a vendor on his watch is under investigation. What's a new governor to do? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/14/Sunset084.jpg)
![Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek whispers to an aide at a hearing of the Sunset Advisory Commission on Jan. 14, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Details Murky on State's Largest Contracts
The Tribune asked more than 20 state agencies for basic information on their largest contracts with private vendors. Most knew, but the embattled health commission, which believes it has $60 billion or so in contracts, couldn't provide key details. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/04/03/TT-Contract-high-nurse.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
State Auditor: "Operational Defects" Led to 21CT Deal
A scathing state investigative report of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's $20 million deal for fraud tracking software has revealed "operational defects" within the agency's procurement process. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/09/JanekStick.jpg)
![Texas Health and Human Services Commission Kyle Janek and former HHSC chief counsel, Jack Stick.]()
-
Interactive: Demographics of State Doctors, Health Care Professionals
Minorities are largely underrepresented among the state's health care professionals. Use these interactives to explore the demographics of some health professions by race/ethnicity, gender and age. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Stetho-Around-Texas.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Todd Wiseman -
Rules Hurt Family Violence Programs, Nelson Says
State regulations are unnecessarily holding up funds for shelters and programs that help victims of family violence, state Sen. Jane Nelson says. She wants to loosen the rules, even as she leads the charge to tighten other state contracting procedures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/02/19/_01F2456.jpg)
![Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, during a Health and Human Services committee hearing on Feb. 19, 2013.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
After Ebola Scare, Senate Moves to Bolster Disease Response
Months after three Ebola diagnoses stirred fears in Dallas, the Texas Senate on Tuesday approved legislation aiming to clarify how the state should respond to its next infectious disease outbreak. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/10/01/EbolaTexas_1.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman / Phil Moyer -
New in Trib+Health: When More Than Change is in the Wind
In this week's edition of the Trib+Health newsletter: A new study finds wind carrying antibiotic resistance bacteria from feedlots, a Dallas hospital targets infection control and an interview with Matteo Pasquali of Rice University. Full Story
![Article thumbnail]()
-
House Budget Debate to Tackle Hot-Button Issues
Planning to follow the House's budget debate today? Better clear your schedule. The chamber is set to debate 354 amendments, which are likely to stir debate on issues like abortion, border security, school vouchers and more. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Democrats Target Alternatives to Abortion Program
As the Texas House prepares for a floor fight Tuesday over its budget, a flurry of amendments filed by Democrats seeks to defund the state's Alternatives to Abortion program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2013/07/22/Protesters-Split.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Todd Wiseman / Callie Richmond -
Health Commission Experienced a Program Failure, Report Says
Leadership problems at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in the wake of a contracting scandal leave the agency too vulnerable to consolidate at this time, according to a report released Monday by Gov. Greg Abbott's "strike force" team. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Janek-Listens.jpg)
![Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Dr. Kyle Janek]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Texas Scientists Find Antibiotic Resistance Blowing in Wind
In a study slated for publication next month, two Texas Tech University scientists may have made their biggest discovery yet: DNA from antibiotic-resistant bacteria in cattle feedlots is airborne. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/17/IMG_8630.jpg)
![Thousands of cattle spend their final months at feed yards like this one, located in Hale Center.]()
Credit: Eva Hershaw -
FBI at Health Commission Asking About 21CT Deal
FBI agents have interviewed Texas Health and Human Services Commission employees about the agency's problematic contract with Austin firm 21CT, Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek said Thursday, the first time any official with direct knowledge of the FBI's involvement has confirmed it. Full Story
![Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Dr. Kyle Janek]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Video: A Conversation With Clay Johnston
Full video of my 3/26 conversation with Clay Johnston, dean of the University of Texas at Austin's Dell Medical School. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/DSC_7942.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
-
Terrell State Hospital Privatization Deal Scuttled After Audit
A plan to privatize Terrell State Hospital is dead following a scathing audit that raps the state health commission for bypassing its own contracting procedures. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/03/25/Terrel_State_Hospital_TTcrop.jpg)
![Terrell State Hospital is one of 10 state psychiatric hospitals.]()
Credit: Texas Department of State Health Services -
Abbott to Foster Care Agency: Get Your Act Together
In the wake of three child deaths under the state’s ward so far this year, Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday told the Department of Family and Protective Services to straighten up and fly right. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/02/17/BDS_4051CMS.jpg)
![Gov. Greg Abbott annouces several emergency legislative items in his first State of the State speech on Feb. 17, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
Obamacare Cash Helps Pay State's Medicaid Bill
Texas Republicans have long used the Affordable Care Act as a political punching bag, but that hasn’t stopped state budget writers from taking $102 million from the president's signature health care law to pay some bills. Full Story
Credit: Bob Daemmrich
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f7db99fe48a232b9e4c2dc534b22b591/BD%20INC%20House%20Floor%202011)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/05fc0d5517cc55823b742b1627c50149/BD%20INC%20Turner%20Frown%2002%202011)