The latest health care news from The Texas Tribune.
In this week's edition of the Trib+Health newsletter: A detailed look at the Blue Bell ice cream recall, a health reporter's cancer diagnosis refocuses the conversation on screenings and an interview with John Warner, CEO of UT Southwestern University Hospitals. Full Story
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The House Human Services Committee heard testimony Monday evening on a bill that would partially consolidate the state’s massive health and human services system. Full Story
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Health insurers could be prohibited from offering Texans plans covering abortions under a proposal by Republican state Sen. Larry Taylor of Friendswood. Full Story
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Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is looking to buck a decade-old statewide ban on deep fat fryers in public schools, putting decision-making about food in schools back in the hands of Texas school districts. Full Story
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This week, the House and the Senate named the members of a conference committee that will resolve the differences between the two chambers' budget plans. Here’s a look at how the two proposals compare, with details on some areas where the plans diverge. Full Story
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Shortly after lab tests on two Blue Bell ice cream flavors came back “presumptive positive” for Listeria, an assistant commissioner at the state health agency reached for the phone to call Brenham. Full Story
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UPDATED: Debate on legislation to re-evaluate a state health agency morphed into a fight over abortion in the Texas House on Thursday, and the bill was pulled down after a pair of anti-abortion amendments were added to the bill over the author's objections. Full Story
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The Texas House on Thursday gave preliminary approval to a measure that would require public employers to provide accommodations for mothers who need to pump breast milk while at work. Full Story
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Two years after imposing stringent abortion restrictions, Republican lawmakers have set their sights on changing a legal process that allows some minors to obtain abortions without their parents’ permission. Full Story
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The Texas House on Tuesday tentatively passed House Bill 21, the “right to try” bill that would allow terminally ill patients to try experimental drugs that have passed at least the first of three FDA trial phases. Full Story
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Medical groups are tracking more than a dozen bills — some moving, some apparently stuck — that would give more autonomy to professionals like nurse practitioners and physical therapists to operate independently of medical doctors. Full Story
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Following news that billions of federal dollars for hospitals could be in jeopardy if the state does not expand its public health insurance program to cover more low-income Texans, Gov. Greg Abbott reiterated his opposition to Medicaid expansion. Full Story
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Two psychiatrists at Terrell State Hospital resigned this week after they were accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars from a pharmaceutical company to use their state positions to promote the company’s products. Full Story
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In the Roundup: State lawmakers kept busy this week advancing a slew of items in both chambers – including a measure on the trade of shark fins. And they considered several controversial bills in committees. Full Story
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Three years ago, a company called Geo Care Inc. gave HHSC chief Kyle Janek a blueprint for privatizing state hospitals. The only contract awarded — privatizing Terrell State Hospital — ended up going to that same company. Full Story
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The family of the late Marlise Muñoz, a pregnant Fort Worth woman who in 2013 was kept on life support against her family’s wishes, asked state lawmakers on Wednesday to help prevent other families from going through similar trauma. Full Story
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The Texas Senate on Wednesday tentatively approved a measure to partially consolidate the state’s massive health and human services system. Full Story
In this week's edition of the Trib+Health newsletter: U.S. Senate is set to vote on a long awaited "doc fix" on Medicare rate cuts, Kyle Janek remains on the hot seat and an interview with Anka Vujanovic of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Full Story
The Austin State Supported Living Center will be the first closed, but more are to come as the state continues moving away from residential centers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Full Story
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Almost three years after a Texas high school football player died from sudden cardiac arrest, the Texas House has tentatively approved mandatory electrocardiograms for high school athletes. Full Story
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