The latest health care news from The Texas Tribune.
Next year will mark the fifth legislative session in a row where Texas lawmakers have considered a statewide ban on smoking in public places. More than 100 Texas cities haven't waited for them, despite pushback from some businesses. Full Story
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This week in the Roundup: With just a few weeks left in office, Gov. Rick Perry is planning an official farewell address to lawmakers, a Texas A&M proposal to honor Perry is pulled and the state is poised to weigh another sizable investment in mental health care. Full Story
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Is Texas in danger of recession next year because of the current swoon in oil prices? An economist with J.P. Morgan Chase is raising an early warning flag about that possibility. Full Story
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The Health and Human Services Commission has canceled a second contract involving Jack Stick, who resigned as the agency's top lawyer amid concerns over a $110 million contract that was not competitively bid. Full Story
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The Tribune's Jim Malewitz tries to get at, in a piece also published in Politico Magazine, the root causes that spurred the town of Denton to approve a ban on fracking last month. Full Story
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A bill filed Monday could create a financial incentive for students to become mental health care providers. Senate Bill 239 would create a loan reimbursement program for certain licensed mental health workers who assist the underserved. Full Story
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The Houston Chronicle's Theodore Schleifer has the goods on next year's mayoral election in Houston. Full Story
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Three Texas breweries filed a lawsuit against the state for allegedly "stifling the craft beer renaissance," so we begin this week's news-inspired playlist with "Tears Over Beers" by Modern Baseball. Full Story
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This week in the Roundup: Gov.-elect Greg Abbott highlights the issues he'll prioritize in the coming legislative session, the state loses out on millions of federal dollars for pre-kindergarten programs, and Texas' health care system is on the cusp of a major overhaul. Full Story
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With federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program set to expire next year, children’s health advocates and Gov. Rick Perry are urging Congress to reauthorize it as soon as possible. Full Story
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A couple of popular government programs for children — one helping with early education and the other providing health care — are facing funding questions. Full Story
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With the endorsement Wednesday of the Sunset Advisory Commission, legislators are set to move forward with a consolidation of the state's five health agencies into a single health commission with seven divisions. Full Story
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Full video of our 12/9 conversation with three of the state's medical school deans and state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, about the transformation of medical education in Texas. Full Story
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Voters in Senate District 18 go to the polls on Saturday to choose who will serve out the remainder of the term of Glenn Hegar, the state's next comptroller. Full Story
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In a new report, the Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response called for the establishment of a treatment facility specifically for children, among other recommendations. Full Story
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An execution planned for Wednesday evening is focusing attention on the use of the death penalty on those with serious mental illness. Full Story
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Less than a month after state leaders announced $1 million in state-matching funds to develop coordinated veterans’ mental health programs, local and regional agencies are primed to learn the ins and outs of the application process. Full Story
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A Ted Cruz for president Super PAC is up and running, while others doubt his ability to win over his party's big donors. Full Story
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The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services released a series of recommendations late Monday for the 2015 legislative session. Full Story
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A story published over the weekend gave details on Gov. Rick Perry's prep work this week and month for a possible second run for the White House in 2016. Full Story
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