House lawmakers tentatively approved a series of bills Monday aimed at helping Texas curb its unusually high rate of women dying less than a year after childbirth.
Marissa Evans
Marissa Evans reported on health and human services policy for the Tribune from 2016 to 2019. Before the Tribune she reported for CQ Roll Call in D.C., where she covered state legislatures and health care issues. Her reporting has appeared in Civil Eats, NBC BLK, Cosmo for Latinas, Kaiser Health News, The Seattle Times, The Washington Post, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Star Tribune and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. She is a 2013 alumna of Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Posted in
Health care
Texas Senate OKs maternal mortality task force
Under Senate Bill 17, the state’s Task Force on Maternal Mortality and Morbidity would have more time to study why an alarming number of Texas mothers are dying less than a year after childbirth.
Posted in
Health care
Texas to lose Galveston and Hill Country children’s therapy providers
The University of Texas Medical Branch and Hill Country MHDD Centers have put the Texas Health and Human Services Commission on notice that they’re ending services through the Early Childhood Intervention program.
Posted in
Health care
Abortion rights groups sue Texas over procedure ban
The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood announced on Thursday they’re suing over a provision in Texas’ Senate Bill 8, which outlaws dilation and evacuation abortions.
Posted in
Health care
Revised Senate health care bill draws Cruz’s support but still short votes
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Thursday joined his fellow Texan in the chamber, John Cornyn, in supporting the latest attempt by Senate Republicans to rewrite the Affordable Care Act.
Posted in
Health care
Texas is putting troubled nursing homes on notice
In September, a new state law takes effect that will make it more difficult for nursing homes cited for serious repeat violations to avoid hefty fines from regulators.
Posted inState Government
State Rep. Dukes pleads not guilty to abuse-of-office charges
The 12-term state representative, an Austin Democrat, entered not guilty pleas to tampering with a governmental record and abuse of official capacity by a public servant.
Posted in
Guides
Hey, Texplainer: What did the Texas Legislature do to improve Child Protective Services?
During the five-month session, lawmakers expressed determination to change how abused and neglected children are cared for.
Posted in
Health care
Cruz declines to support Senate GOP health care bill, while Cornyn defends it
The two U.S. Senators from Texas took opposing positions on the Senate GOP’s long-awaited plan to overhaul the American health care system Thursday.
Posted in
Health care
Postpartum depression screening bill gets Abbott’s signature
Texas mothers taking their babies for checkups through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program will be able to get postpartum depression screenings and counseling under a bill Gov. Greg Abbott signed Thursday.