Despite lawmakers’ efforts to cinch the belt on health care costs, state and federal spending on weight-loss surgeries in Texas is bulging. Use our interactive to track taxpayer spending in Texas on bariatric surgeries, and to see where these procedures are happening most.
federal health reform
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Health care
Texans Brace for Supreme Court’s Upcoming Health Care Ruling
State officials, insurers and physicians are preparing for how the Supreme Court’s pending ruling on the Affordable Care Act could influence health care in Texas.
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Health care
Texas-Based Projects Win Millions in Health Care Innovation Awards
The federal Health and Human Services Department announced 81 federal grants Friday. Texas will benefit from nine projects that are receiving about $100 million in federal funds that will be distributed over the next three years.
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University of Texas/Texas Tribune Polls
UT/TT Poll: Little Love for Legislative Branch
Texans dislike Congress and rank the courts as their favorite branch of government. They’re also hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn all or part of the federal health care law.
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Health care
State’s Medicaid Chief Retiring
Billy Millwee, who oversees the state’s giant Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance programs, will retire in August. He has directed the health coverage plans, which account for nearly a quarter of the state’s total budget, since early 2010.
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Health care
State Won’t Seek Federal Funds to Prolong Health Program
In its latest rejection of federal dollars, Texas will not reapply for a grant to keep operating a program that helps consumers enroll in health coverage and file complaints and appeals against health plans.
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Economy
On the Records: Expanded Role for Nurses Could Boost Economy
Expanding the role of advanced practice nurses in the next legislative session would add nearly 100,000 permanent jobs to the current Texas economy, according to a new report by economist Ray Perryman.
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Health care
Time Running Out for Women’s Health Providers
The clock is ticking for reproductive health clinics that are affiliated with abortion providers — the state will force Planned Parenthood and others like them out of the Women’s Health Program early next month.
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Health care
Video: Texas vs. Planned Parenthood Fight Goes On
In part two of “Fertile Ground,” our occasional series on the battle over family planning, we go to West Texas to look at a fight that has centered on Planned Parenthood.
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Health care
Health Officials Tell Senate Panel of Gaps in Mental Health Services
Officials said Wednesday at a state Senate committee hearing that Texas’ mental health system remains underfunded and that waits for care are getting longer for many in the state.
