In 2015, Sandra Bland’s death jolted a conversation about inmate safety and mental health, while high-profile murder cases continued and Texas was criticized for the lengths it reportedly went through to find execution drugs for death row inmates.
Department of State Health Services
Posted in
Health care
Texas Drops Planned Parenthood From HIV Prevention Program
Amid an ongoing battle over Planned Parenthood’s participation in the state Medicaid program, Texas health officials are cutting off funding to a Planned Parenthood affiliate for an HIV prevention program.
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Criminal Justice
Lawyers Fight For, and Over, Death Row Inmate
Two sets of attorneys who believe their client doesn’t belong on death row are fighting not only the state of Texas but also each other as his case arrives at the U.S. Supreme Court.
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Criminal Justice
Report Recommends Police Reform Mental Health Policies
Holding up San Antonio as an example, a report released Tuesday by the Vera Institute of Justice recommends law enforcement agencies change their practices regarding mental illness, sex workers and addiction.
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Criminal Justice
Black Lives Matter Searches for Its Next Step
More than two years after the heat of anger over Trayvon Martin’s shooting in Florida fused into Black Lives Matter, an Austin chapter is trying to mold its energy into an agenda to influence state lawmakers.
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Criminal Justice
New Statewide Jail Form Aimed at Suicide Risks
In the wake of the hanging death of Sandra Bland and other recent suicides, the state agency that oversees jails is issuing a new inmate intake form so jailers will ask more specific, direct questions when booking people.
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Criminal Justice
Report: Veteran Mental Health Ignored in Capital Cases
Veterans sentenced to death in Texas murder cases — and nationwide — might have escaped the punishment if juries had been told about their military service and any ensuing mental health problems, says a report released Tuesday.
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Criminal Justice
Straus Forms Select Committee on Mental Health
The committee will review and make recommendations on substance abuse, care for veterans, identifying illnesses early and improving delivery of mental health care.
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Health care
Hellerstedt to Lead Texas Public Health Agency
John Hellerstedt will be the next commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, officials said Monday.
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Health care
2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Health Care Track
The Health Care track at the 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on the Legislature, the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. We also featured a conversation with Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Chris Traylor.
