A judge has ruled the state may continue its legal challenge against the pharmaceutical company Janssen over allegations it offered officials kickbacks to get a schizophrenia medicine on a preferred drug list.
Medicaid
When Is a Tax Not a Tax?
Many Texas lawmakers have forsworn taxes, but they also promised to educate kids, to build roads, to care for the needy and to do what government is expected to do. Itโs the adult version of those mathematical story problems that made sixth grade so much fun.
Mapping Where Federal Hospital Dollars Go
State health officials hope they’ve reached a breakthrough in their effort to achieve two goals: expanding Medicaid managed care, and keeping a combined $1 billion in federal health care dollars flowing into Texas hospitals every year.
Guy Clifton: The TT Interview
The Houston neurosurgeon, author and frequent health care adviser to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on his support for the individual insurance mandate, why cutting provider rates to rescue the budget is misguided and how far Texas would trim Medicaid if given the permission.
Deuell: Make Cuts, but Raise Taxes Too
State Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, would rather raise taxes a little bit than make the cuts lawmakers are considering now, he told the Tribune this evening.
Lawmakers Want State, Not Federal, Insurance Connector
State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Simonton, is no fan of “Obamacare.” But he told his House colleages this afternoon that if they don’t set up a health insurance exchange โ one of the tenets of reform โ by 2014, the federal government will do it for them.
Hispanic Lawmakers Spar Over Politics of Race, Education
Protecting education and recognizing that the rapidly growing Hispanic population will gain a major political voice in Texas were themes that emerged Monday at the Tribune’s โNew Day Risingโ forum.
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Feb. 21 to 25, 2011.
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 68
This week’s TribCast features Ross, Reeve, Ben and Emily discussing the University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll, the buzz about Medicaid and concealed carry on college campuses.
Guest Column: The Conservative Case for Needle Exchange
While many people believe that needle exchange programs simply facilitate or condone illegal drug use, there is a powerful conservative argument for why they’re good public policy.


