The latest health care news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas budget writers got a briefing on the state’s health care programs Wednesday, and the biggest questions focused on how the state can reduce fraud and what to do about ever-increasing health care costs. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Stetho-Around-Texas.jpg)
The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday opened its discussion on how to finance the state's health budget by considering the impact of cost containment initiatives and how to proactively curb Medicaid fraud. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a7d041d350653ac3860644966aea582f/BD%20INC%20Williams%2001%202011)
After complaints from lawmakers about its earlier list of Texas Women’s Health Program providers, the state health agency has replaced its list online. The new list has 965 fewer doctors and clinics. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-PlannedParenthoodAustin_Tamir.Kalifa-4728.jpg)
Though reforms have improved the state’s health care system for foster children, child welfare advocates say, the rate of foster children prescribed psychotropic drugs remains high. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/FosterCare-Pills-b2.jpg)
A state audit has revealed that transparency problems at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas extend beyond the improper review of an $11 million commercialization grant that sparked criminal and civil investigations. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/09/CPRIT-NewLogo-Clean.jpg)
Texas' Republican leadership is adamant that Texas will not expand Medicaid, a major tenet of federal health reform. A report by the state's former deputy comptroller and former chief revenue estimator suggests that would be short-sighted. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Balloon-Medicaid-4.jpg)
In this edition of the Newsreel: Legislative debate over women's health funding, abortion and Planned Parenthood has started. This week is the 4oth anniversary of the Rove v. Wade ruling. Lawmakers are talking again about guns on campus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/012313_ART_Newsreel.jpg)
Attorney General Greg Abbott announced on Friday the creation of the Choose Life Advisory Committee, a group that will make recommendations for spending money generated by "Choose Life" license plates. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0355208a01a49eec7b24996dc922d36b/BD%20INC%20TX%20Trib%20Abbott%20002%202011)
Connie Spears, a double amputee, says Texas' tort reform laws obstructed her ability to find a malpractice lawyer and forced a judge to order her to pay thousands of dollars to cover some defendants’ legal bills. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/TxTrib-Amputee005.JPG)
A bill filed Thursday in the Texas House would give religiously based businesses a state tax break if the businesses chose not to comply with the federal government’s mandate that employers provide contraception coverage. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/BirthControl-Catholocism.jpg)
Water, transportation and education are the dominant topics this legislative session, but pro-marijuana reform groups hope that recent laws passed in Colorado and Washington will sway Texas lawmakers to follow suit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/MedicinalMarijuana-Cross_1.jpg)
The Travis County district attorney’s office clarified on Wednesday that its criminal investigation of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas “is ongoing and aggressive.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/06/09/CPRIT-NewLogo-Clean_dWqSXgV.jpg)
Full video of my January 22 TribLive conversation about family planning and women's health with state Reps. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and Sarah Davis, R-West University Place. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TribLive-DavisHoward-2_1.jpg)
At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, and Donna Howard, D-Austin, talked about the possibility of legislation in the 83rd session restricting access to abortions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TribLive-DavisHoward.jpg)
At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Reps. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, and Donna Howard, D-Austin, talked about whether the new state-run Texas Women's Health Program will have enough providers without Planned Parenthood. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/TribLive-DavisHoward-2.jpg)
On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade — the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that legalized abortion — the lawyer who successfully argued the case talks with the Tribune about women’s rights and recent anti-abortion legislation Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Weddington-Still.jpg)
On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade — the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that legalized abortion — the lawyer who successfully argued the case talks with the Tribune about women’s rights and recent anti-abortion legislation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/videos/weddington.jpeg)
This interactive map shows the locations of Planned Parenthood clinics excluded from the new Texas Women's Health Program, overlaid with the non-Planned Parenthood providers that have agreed to treat state-subsidized patients in those areas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/Provider-DataApp.jpg)
A South Texas pharmacy featured in a June Tribune article on independent pharmacists struggling to adapt to lower Medicaid reimbursement rates will shut its doors on Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/John_Calvillo_10.jpg)
As lawmakers try to trim the budget for health care for prison inmates, one bill aims to cut costs by re-examining a program that releases inmates deemed the oldest, sickest and most expensive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/DSC_6244.jpg)