The lieutenant governor believes he knows how to save Texas money and improve patient care by overhauling how doctors and hospitals are paid: with carrots, not sticks. In an interview with the Tribune, he talks about what he sees as the root of the health care crisis, and his proposed solutions.
federal health reform
Suehs Warns Lawmakers On Health Cuts
Health and Human Services Commissioner Tom Suehs pulled no punches when he warned Senate lawmakers today what proposed budget cuts will mean: either cutting the number of people served, or the money paid to those who care for them.
Abbott: Why “Obamacare” is Unconstitutional
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says the reason is simple: Never before have Americans been mandated to buy a product for a specific reason.
Abbott: No Limits To Congressional Authority?
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says there will be no limits to congressional authority if the constitutionality of health care reform is upheld.
TribBlog: Health Reform Ruled Unconstitutional [Updated]
A federal judge in Florida has ruled that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act โ the federal health care reform that was signed into law in March โ is unconstitutional, largely because it forces all Americans to purchase insurance.
Health Reform Roulette
Even as Texas pursues a lawsuit attacking federal health care reform, some state officials are reluctantly laying the groundwork to implement parts of the law.
John Zerwas: The TT Interview
The state representative and anesthesiologist from Simonton on why he filed the House’s first bill to implement a key piece of federal health-care reform and was the first in his party to openly suggest that dropping out of Medicaid wasn’t such a great idea after all.
Gil Kerlikowske: The TT Interview
The Obama administration’s “drug czar” on the federal drug control strategy, curbing drug addiction in the United States, helping to end drug-related violence in Mexico โ and why legalizing illicit drugs is not the answer.
John Zerwas: The TT Interview
John Zerwas: The TT InterviewTexas Tribune donors or members may be quoted or mentioned in our stories, or may be the subject of them. For a complete list of contributors, click here.
Managed Into the Red?
Texas hospital administrators aren’t thrilled about the 10 percent Medicaid provider rate cut included in the House’s proposed budget. But what they fear more is the proposed expansion of Medicaid managed care, which could force them to forgo a combined $1 billion a year in federal funding.


