The figures come a little more than a month since Gov. Greg Abbott’s stay-at-home order expired and about two weeks after Memorial Day.
Shannon Najmabadi
Shannon Najmabadi was a reporter at the Tribune from 2017 to 2021, most recently covering women's health. Her stories — on higher education and other topics — have prompted lawmakers to change three state laws, including one involving a very narrow definition of the word “pickle.” She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Columbia University.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Outside of Texas’ big cities, some are still waiting nearly a month for coronavirus test results from state-run mobile units
While many county leaders were grateful that Texas deployed coronavirus testing resources in their communities, others complained of a chaotic planning process and test results delayed for weeks.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas has spent more than $200 million on personal protective equipment orders to combat coronavirus
The state has issued purchase orders totaling $1.1 billion for protective equipment, but orders for $638 million worth of items have been canceled.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
As coronavirus hits Texas, the state’s top health official is spending 30 hours a week on a second job — that pays $600,000
Acting Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson chose not to accept salary and benefits for a temporary position leading one of Texas’ largest and most high-profile agencies. Instead, he continues to earn $636,694 from the Lower Colorado River Authority, more than double what the previous health commissioner made.
Posted in
Higher Education
Texas Southern University gave $2 million in aid to unqualified students, review finds
A new review sheds more light on an admissions scandal that has plagued the Houston school since November and led to the ouster of former President Austin Lane.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Some Texas hospitals continued to sue patients for unpaid medical bills during the coronavirus pandemic
Hundreds of debt collection lawsuits have been filed since Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster because of COVID-19 in mid-March, according to the Health Care Research and Policy Team at Johns Hopkins University.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
They lost their jobs and insurance in the pandemic. Now they’re slipping through Texas’ health care safety net.
Texas had the highest uninsured rate of any state before the outbreak. It’s also among a minority of states that have declined to expand Medicaid coverage to people with incomes near or below the poverty line.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Coronavirus tests are supposed to be free. Some Texans are still being saddled with large bills.
Congress directed most insurance companies to cover test costs for insured patients in March, and has promised to reimburse providers for testing those who are uninsured.
But experts say there are gaps in the protection that can leave patients surprised with bills.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Health care workers are living in treehouses, RVs and hotels to protect their families from coronavirus
To avoid accidentally sickening medically fragile children or elderly parents with the new coronavirus, some health care workers are aggressively disinfecting their clothes and homes or trying to isolate themselves. The efforts can take a mental toll.
Posted in
Coronavirus in Texas
Texas’ front-line workers in the pandemic are predominantly women and people of color, analysis finds
Sixty-two percent of front-line workers in the 11 Texas cities with the the largest populations of front-line workers are women, compared with 48% of all workers there, the analysis shows.
