Dr. Javier Saenz checks the ear of Viviana Escareño, 6, for infection. The young girl’s mother, Claudia Escareño, has brought “Vivi” to Saenz’s clinic since she was born.
Dr. Javier Saenz checks the ear of Viviana Escareño, 6, for infection. The young girl’s mother, Claudia Escareño, has brought “Vivi” to Saenz’s clinic since she was born. Reynaldo Leal

Nearly a third of children in foster care have missed required medical checkups, according to a Health and Human Services Department Office of the Inspector General report. The report looked at Texas as well as California, Illinois and New York, and found that 12 percent missed initial checkups and another 7 percent missed required periodic medical assessments.

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Christine Ayala was a Texas Tribune fellow, focusing on reporting and newsletter production, in 2014 and 2015. Before joining the Tribune, Christine interned for the Austin American-Statesman features...