The latest health care news from The Texas Tribune.
The state’s COVID-19 mental health support line has seen a spike in calls since early December as people navigate holidays amid a highly contagious new variant. Full Story
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Texas politics in 2021 were marked by a violent insurrection at the nation’s Capitol and state legislative fights over abortion, voting rights and redistricting. Our photojournalists were there every step of the way. Full Story
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Texans are taking varying levels of precautions as they finish holiday shopping and prepare for Christmas worship services. Full Story
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So far this month, at least 1.2 million Texans have gotten booster shots — nearly triple the number of people who received their first doses of the vaccine during the same time. Full Story
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The Texas Department of State Health Services, which tracks the number of coronavirus vaccinations, cases, hospitalizations and deaths across the state, won’t be updating its daily dashboard Friday through Sunday both this week and next over the holidays. Full Story
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Abbott’s office says vaccines are the best defense to the pandemic, however, the governor has rarely spoken about vaccines in recent months other than to push back against mandates. He did not respond to a question about whether he got the booster. Full Story
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Live updates: As infections increase ahead of the holidays — and omicron spreads throughout the state — officials urge people to get vaccines and booster shots. Full Story
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Untreated medical conditions, lack of access to testing and limited paid time off leave uninsured Texans particularly vulnerable to the disease. Full Story
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Most local officials insist they still have testing capacity at their public testing sites, but Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said demand has outpaced supply. Full Story
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Some hospitals are better prepared than they were early in the pandemic, but administrators say staff morale still stands on shaky ground. Full Story
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While Texas’ controversial abortion law strictly refers to women in its phrasing, it also limits access to the procedure for transgender and nonbinary people who are able to become pregnant. Full Story
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Texas is among states that sued the Biden administration over its mandate. An appeals court ruled in the president's favor Friday and reinstated the rule, set to take effect Jan. 4. Full Story
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Hospitalizations related to the virus remain low in the state, but the number of people testing positive is rising and once again fueling worries about the struggling health care system’s ability to weather a new surge. Full Story
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Just as many legal experts predicted, the enforcement provision in Texas’ new law restricting abortion has become a magnet for other states that want to limit constitutionally protected rights. Full Story
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Our tracker presents the latest on tests, cases, hospitalizations, people who died and vaccinations. We want to know how this information can be more valuable to readers. Full Story
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The justices allowed the challenge against the law to proceed but mangled abortion providers' legal strategy and set the table for another elongated court fight. Meanwhile, abortion access in the state remains severely restricted. Full Story
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Mark Lee Dickson helped Texas towns ban abortion. On Friday, the Supreme Court declined to block a state law modeled on his ordinance. “We can go anywhere now,” he said. Full Story
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On this week's episode, Matthew and Reese make sense of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision and what it means for abortion in Texas. Full Story
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Texas, the birthplace of Roe v. Wade, has been at the forefront of major battles over abortion access ever since. Friday’s ruling ensures the state remains on the frontlines. Full Story
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Even though a legal fight continues, providers warn that abortion clinics could eventually have to shut down since enforcement of the law can continue. Full Story
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