The Brief: May 1, 2014
As the horrifying details of a botched execution in Oklahoma dominated the headlines on Wednesday, the focus in Texas quickly turned to whether a review of procedures could be in the offing here. Full Story
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The latest health care news from The Texas Tribune.
As the horrifying details of a botched execution in Oklahoma dominated the headlines on Wednesday, the focus in Texas quickly turned to whether a review of procedures could be in the offing here. Full Story
As a new survey shows large counties across the U.S. identifying human sex trafficking as a major problem, federal lawmakers and advocates have pointed to Houston as a critical city in their efforts to address the issue. Full Story
Like most child welfare agencies nationwide, Texas Child Protective Services has had its share of problems. Officials say reforms have made clear improvements, but the agency still faces problems. Full Story
The House select committee charged with investigating UT System Regent Wallace Hall could vote as early as May 12 on whether to recommend articles of impeachment to the full chamber. Full Story
On the heels of an expansion of Fort Bliss, El Paso is seeing an increase in the number of children who can't be placed in foster homes because there aren't enough English-speaking homes available. Full Story
Behind bars, art can be an important form of expression for women who have suffered from trauma, drug addiction or mental illness. Advocates plan to ask lawmakers for more money to provide inmates with art supplies and art therapy. Full Story
Trying to fend off his strongest challenger in years, longtime U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall is calling on his friends once again to help him raise money. Full Story
The grand jury investigation into Rick Perry's veto of funding for the Public Integrity Unit has drawn new national attention to the outgoing Texas governor who is weighing a return to the presidential sweepstakes. Full Story
A federal judge has denied an El Paso abortion clinic temporary relief from a new state requirement that physicians who provide abortions obtain hospital admitting privileges. Full Story
While the rate of uninsured Texas adults has fallen slightly since the launch of the federal health insurance marketplace, a new report finds most of the change was attributable to a rise in employer-sponsored health coverage. Full Story
Supporters of a foster care redesign are hopeful that the program will improve the quality of care for children. But some advocates are raising questions about the program's oversight. Full Story
With last session's divisive abortion debate as a backdrop, Democrats are getting help from the newly created Planned Parenthood Texas Votes. Republicans, meanwhile, have their own group to tackle women's issues. Full Story
Julián Castro and Dan Patrick square off this evening in a San Antonio television studio in their long-awaited debate over immigration. Here are some things to watch for. Full Story
Texas doctors who treat Medicare patients earned a combined $4.6 billion from the federal insurer of the elderly in 2012, with the state's ophthalmologists and oncologists raking in the most. Full Story
The Austin American-Statesman is reporting that Gov. Rick Perry has hired a defense lawyer to represent him in an ongoing investigation into his veto of funding for the Public Integrity Unit housed in the Travis County DA's office. Full Story
While efforts are underway to decrease Texas' rate of residents without health coverage, Texas is seeing an increase in primary care practitioners who are no longer accepting any forms of insurance. Full Story
Abortion providers filed a petition on Thursday asking the full 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider the constitutionality of new abortion regulations passed by the Republican-led Texas Legislature in July. Full Story
With the three-day Civil Rights Summit wrapping up today, Politico's Todd S. Purdum dives into the paradoxes on display this week in Austin. Full Story
The Greg Abbott campaign wants to make clear it is not calling for testing of 4-year-olds. Full Story
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services approved a set of new regulations Friday that are meant to provide more protection for foster children. Full Story