A new treatment for hepatitis C is considered a breakthrough for people with the liver disease. But the high cost of the drug has complicated efforts to get the medication to Texans who receive government-subsidized health care.
Alexa Ura
Alexa Ura reported for The Texas Tribune from 2013 to 2023. She covered the complex dynamics of race, ethnicity, wealth, poverty and power and how they are shaping the future of Texas and Texans, in the long and short term. Alexa started at the Tribune as a reporting intern before graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and joining the staff full time. Originally from Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border, she is a native Spanish speaker and is based in Austin.
Posted in
Health care
Amid Scrutiny of VA Clinics, Legislators Look to Help Cut Wait Times
More attention is being paid to the quality of care at VA medical centers in Texas. Though the state is limited in what it can do to assist the federal facilities, legislators are still proposing possible methods to help reduce wait times.
Posted in
Health care
Nurse Practitioners Say That Greater Autonomy Would Cure Challenges
Nurse practitioners say state regulations, which link them to supervising physicians, limit their ability to treat patients in a state with a looming shortage of primary care physicians.
Posted inState Government
In New Ad, Davis Targets Abbott on CPRIT
In a new online ad released by her campaign, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis criticized her Republican opponent, Greg Abbott, for his previous involvement, as the state’s attorney general, on the oversight board of the embattled Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
Posted in
Politics
Abbott Calls for Increased Funding for Online Learning
Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott announced the third plank of his education policy plan on Thursday, calling for millions in increased funding for online learning initiatives.
Posted inState Government
Abbott Ad Calls Davis’ Education Claims “Mostly False”
Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott released an online ad targeting remarks made by his Democratic opponent, Wendy Davis, about Abbott’s early education plan. The ad called labeled her criticism as “mostly false.”
Posted in
Health care
State Faces Tough Task Getting Former Foster Youth Health Coverage
A little-known provision of the Affordable Care Act grants certain young adults who were formerly in foster care extended health coverage through Medicaid until they turn 26. But locating and enrolling them could prove tough.
Posted inState Government
Davis Revisits Cancer Institute in Attacks on Abbott
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis criticized her Republican opponent Greg Abbott on Tuesday for his previous involvement in the embattled Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
Posted inState Government
Video: Progress Texas PAC Targets Abbott On CPRIT
In a new video, the Progress Texas PAC goes after Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott for his involvement, as the state’s attorney general, on the oversight board of the embattled Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
Posted inState Government
Runoff Races Start to Heat Up
Also, a slew of runoff endorsements are announced and Empower Texans asks a district judge for help against ethics commission-issued subpoenas.
