Department of State Health Services

Toxic algae blooms that kill dogs are becoming more common. And climate change is making it worse, scientists say.

by Chase Karacostas

A toxic algae bloom in Austin that killed five dogs caught officials by surprise, but despite how dangerous the blooms are, there's almost no way for cities to combat them. Full Story 

Texas vaccine exemption rates: Look up your district or private school

by Shiying Cheng and Elizabeth Byrne

In Texas, parents can get their children exemptions from the vaccines required to attend public and private schools for "reasons of conscience." Use our lookup tool to see how exemption rates have changed in school districts and private schools across the state. Full Story 

Gov. Greg Abbott vetoes bill requiring children under 2 to ride in rear-facing car seats

by Elizabeth Byrne

Abbott said the measure "is an unnecessary invasion of parental rights and an unfortunate example of over-criminalization." Full Story 

Texas picklers get a victory from the Legislature

by Shannon Najmabadi

A proposal on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott would make it easier for pickled beets, carrots and other produce to be sold at farmers markets alongside pickled cucumbers. Full Story 

Some lawmakers want Texas to release vaccine opt-out rates for schools

by Elizabeth Byrne and Shiying Cheng

Texas tries to track the number of students with vaccine exemptions every year, but the data is incomplete and doesn't include the opt-out rates for individual public schools. Amid a recent rise in measles cases across the country, some in the Legislature are calling for more detailed reporting. Full Story 

Texas reports on state government efficiency were kept secret. We're publishing them.

by Edgar Walters

Since 2005, state lawmakers have received the agency's biennial report detailing inefficiencies in government, but this year the report was not made public. Full Story 

Texans are waiting for birth and death certificates amid health agency understaffing

by Marissa Evans

The backlog — exacerbated by the state's switch in January to a new computer system for processing records — comes as the short-staffed Texas Department of State Health Services vies for a boost in funding. Meanwhile, families anxiously wait. Full Story 

Nearly 200 people in Texas detention facilities have contracted mumps

by Marissa Evans

The Texas Department of State Health Services says 186 people, including immigrants and detention center employees, were confirmed with cases of mumps since October. Full Story 

This Texas program lands poor people in jail. Getting rid of it has been too complicated — but that might be changing.

by Arya Sundaram

Lawmakers in both chambers and parties want to fix the controversial Driver Responsibility Program, but the program funds state trauma centers. Where will they find $144 million to fill the gap? Full Story 

Medicaid, opioids and abortion: Health care issues to expect this Texas legislative session

by Marissa Evans

Amid uncertainty about the federal health law, state legislators will tackle a variety of issues during the session, from abortion to mental health to opioids to funding for Medicaid. Full Story 

Anti-vaccine Texas families may take their fight to day cares next

by Marissa Evans

A leading anti-vaccine group claims that day cares are breaking the law by denying kids who haven't been vaccinated. Experts say the group is misinterpreting the law. Full Story 

Judge strikes down Texas law requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains

by Marissa Evans

The ruling comes after a five-day trial in July at which patients, health providers, state agency officials, bioethicists, cemetery directors and religious leaders got on the witness stand. Full Story 

TribCast: Slow family reunifications, Cruz-O'Rourke TV ads

by Emily Ramshaw and Michael Rey de Leon

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Ross, Marissa and Emma about moldy, rat-infested state office buildings, family reunifications at the border, TV ads in the U.S. Senate race and a Republican state lawmaker's tough words for the Texas governor. Full Story 

Analysis: Other than the mold and the rats, it’s a picture of health

by Ross Ramsey

If the state's health agencies have been willing — until found out — to let their own employees work in squalor, should the rest of us be asking more questions about how they're watching out for us? Full Story 

At town hall, health services commissioner tells state employees mold-infested building "not unsafe"

by Marissa Evans

The Texas Tribune obtained a recording of a town hall meeting with Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt and state workers nearly two weeks after they were relocated from the Austin State Hospital 636 building where a mold infestation had invaded their workspace. Full Story 

TribCast: Looming family reunification deadlines and moldy state office buildings

by Emily Ramshaw and Michael Rey de Leon

On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Evan, Patrick and Emma about Texas' mold-infested state health services building, whether the feds will meet a court-ordered deadline for migrant family reunifications and why some Republican statewide officials have no incentive to debate their Democratic opponents. Full Story 

Texas health agency to vacate mold-infested building

by Marissa Evans

Texas Department of State Health Services employees are being relocated from the Austin State Hospital 636 building where a mold infestation has invaded their desks, chairs, carpeting and keyboard hand rests. The news comes one day after The Texas Tribune reported the mold incursion. Full Story 

Texas health building invaded by mold, raising health concerns

by Marissa Evans

Workers have found mold infiltrating their desks, chairs and keyboard hand rests in the Austin State Hospital 636 building. The state has spent nearly $16,000 fighting the mold so far. Full Story 

Texas fetal remains burial trial gets underway

by Marissa Evans

The law at the center of the case is Senate Bill 8, passed in 2017, which requires the burial or cremation of fetal remains. Full Story 

In Poland, midwives play a significant role in childbirth. In Texas? Not so much.

by Marissa Evans

Poland and Texas have comparable populations, conservative governments and stringent anti-abortion policies. But they differ significantly in how health care is delivered for women — and in the role they allow midwives to play in the childbirth process. Full Story