The GOP congressman from Lubbock on Gov. Rick Perry, cuts in direct payments that could be headed for Texas farmers, his hopes for the supercommittee and what the 2012 elections will say about Americans’ view of the economy.
Medicaid
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Health care
In Tax Speech, Perry to Push for Balanced Budget Amendment
Though Gov. Rick Perry’s economic speech today is expected to focus on his proposal for a national flat tax, as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, the governor is also expected to push for a balanced-budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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Health care
Things to Do: The House’s Interim Charges
The House’s interim charges are out, starting with instructions to everyone to consider ways to improve the state’s manufacturing capability and increase the “transparency, accountability, and efficiency” in state government.
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Health care
Straus Releases Interim Charges for House Committees
House Speaker Joe Straus has released the interim charges that will direct the work of the lower chamber’s legislative committees for the next 11 months — and lawmakers will be busy.
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Health care
Perry “Hates” Cancer, but Budget Cuts Slash Cervical Cancer Screenings
Gov. Rick Perry “hates” cervical cancer, which is why he tried to make the HPV vaccine mandatory. Yet he signed a budget that defunds Planned Parenthood, which provides four times more cervical cancer screenings in Texas than abortions.
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Health care
Video: Planned Parenthood Clinics Close In Hidalgo County
The state’s family planning reductions hit the Planned Parenthood Association of Hidalgo County especially hard. In September, the association shut down four of its eight health clinics and laid off half of its staff. Anti-abortion advocates argue the state should not “subsidize the abortion industry.” The Trib’s Thanh Tan and Justin Dehn report from Hidalgo County.
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Health care
Pharmacies Feeling Pressure of Reduced Medicaid Fees
Some independent pharmacies may have to lay off workers and cut services because of looming lower dispensing fees. Beginning in March, a new managed-care plan will reduce the amount pharmacies receive for Medicaid prescriptions.
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Health care
As Costs Rise, Texas Doctors Experiment With Care, Payment Models
As the U.S. grapples with rising health care costs and a system that rewards doctors and hospitals for how sick their patients get, not how healthy they become, Texas providers are experimenting with new payment and care delivery models.
Posted inState Government
Interactive: The Problem with Medicare Spending — and Proposals to Fix it
Use our interactive to understand the budget hole federal lawmakers have dug by not updating the Medicare funding formula, Texas physicians’ response to the problem, and the cost of varied proposals to fix it.
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Health care
In Third Debate, Perry Prepared But Stumbles
Gov. Rick Perry headed into his third Republican presidential debate with a lot to prove. He left with a mixed bag.
