The Brief: Aug. 13, 2014
As the first phase of the latest legal fight over Texas' new abortion regulations comes to a close, the fate of one of the law's key provisions hangs in the balance. Full Story
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The latest health care news from The Texas Tribune.
As the first phase of the latest legal fight over Texas' new abortion regulations comes to a close, the fate of one of the law's key provisions hangs in the balance. Full Story
The Baylor College of Medicine in Houston is considering a reverse quarantine that would keep health staffers from patients for 21 days after they have traveled to countries affected by the Ebola outbreak. Full Story
Texas is “ultimately responsible” for millions of misspent Medicaid dollars, according to a new federal audit, because a state agency failed to properly oversee the contractor. Full Story
Private medical providers in the Valley welcome additional resources to address the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' massive backlog, but they say the voucher program must be improved to maximize its effectiveness. Full Story
UPDATED: Removing Texas' same-sex marriage ban could clear the way for bigamy and pedophilia, according to a brief signed by 63 Republican lawmakers including the GOP candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general. Full Story
More than a decade ago, Andrea Yates drowned her five children. The publicity around the case brought attention to the mental struggles of some mothers. Now, advocates are hoping lawmakers will approve mandatory screening. Full Story
Our new Hospitals Explorer helps you learn more about the quality of care available at 377 Texas hospitals that reported Medicare data. See how hospitals in your area compare with one another and with state and national standards. Full Story
SpaceX on Monday chose to place its first commercial launch complex on Boca Chica beach near Brownsville. The announcement solidified Texas' leading position in the country's space program even as it transitions to one with greater opportunities for private companies. Full Story
UPDATED: Attorneys made their opening arguments Monday in a U.S. district court trial over a provision that requires abortion facilities to meet the same regulations as ambulatory surgical centers. Full Story
A new report raises fresh doubts about a key witness instrumental in securing the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham. This new evidence forces again the question as to whether Texas executed an innocent man. Full Story
Providence Service Corporation of Texas, the lead contractor heading the state’s foster care redesign initiative, has voluntarily terminated its contract with the Department of Family and Protective Services. Full Story
Texas women who receive state-financed health services may be able to more easily access contraceptive products like intrauterine devices and hormonal implants beginning Friday, when rule changes to the state’s Medicaid program and the Texas Women’s Health Program go into effect. Full Story
This week's House committee hearing in which leading officials in charge of executing the plan said they never asked for Guard troops revealed another aspect of Rick Perry's border action, according to the Houston Chronicle's Patrick Svitek. Full Story
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Bob Ray Sanders is pushing back against one major tenet of the conventional wisdom surrounding the race for governor: Wendy Davis needs to maintain a healthy separation between her and President Obama. Full Story
The oil boom has brought jobs and prosperity to Midland and Odessa, but it has also driven up housing prices, making it difficult for the Department of Family and Protective Services to hire caseworkers. Full Story
Can those National Guard troops being sent to the border arrest people? The latest word is they can. And the reason why is that Rick Perry sent them, and not the federal government. Full Story
State lawmakers have already met several times this year to discuss rampant and persistent problems in the state's foster care system. On Thursday, they heard from former foster youths to find out what needs to be changed. Full Story
Check out The Politics of Prevention, our yearlong series investigating the impact of state policies on Texas women's access to public health programs. Find the rest of our women's health coverage here. Full Story
The Rick Perry Presidential Watch has revved up in a big way. Full Story
Abortions in Texas decreased by about 13 percent statewide and 21 percent in the Lower Rio Grande Valley after strict abortion regulations went into effect last November, according to a study released Wednesday. Full Story