Health care

Texas voters’ biggest concerns for the country? Immigration and political corruption, UT/TT Poll says

by Ross Ramsey

Immigration and border security are at or near the top of voters' concerns about the U.S. and Texas, and political corruption is also near the top of their U.S. list, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. Full Story 

East Texas town with no abortion clinics passes ordinance attempting to ban the procedure

by Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Washington Post

Waskom declared itself a "sanctuary city for the unborn." City leaders acknowledged that the decision will likely lead to a lawsuit. Full Story 

Texas vaccine exemption rates have reached an all-time high. Did Texas make it too easy for parents to opt out?

by Elizabeth Byrne and Shiying Cheng

Texas has resisted recent attempts to change its vaccine laws, allowing parents to get their children exemptions for "reasons of conscience." Use our lookup tool to see how exemption rates have changed in school districts and private schools across the state. Full Story 

Texas governor signs bill clarifying that women are allowed to pump breast milk in public

by Elizabeth Byrne

Previous state law explicitly permitted breastfeeding in public, but the bill adds a protection for women who choose to pump breast milk in public. Full Story 

The Texas governor accused people of lying about Texas' maternal mortality rate. The critics relied on the state's own bad data.

by Elizabeth Byrne

Problems with the state’s data led to initial reports that Texas' maternal mortality rate was far higher than it is. Full Story 

The Texas Legislature passed bills reining in freestanding emergency rooms

by Elizabeth Byrne

One bill awaiting action by the governor will require freestanding emergency rooms to clearly disclose the in-network health plans they accept and the fees patients may be charged. Full Story 

No one knows exactly why rural East Texas faces high suicide rates. And resources to help are scarce.

by Christopher Collins, Texas Observer

The region has some of the highest suicide rates in the state. But the safety net for people who need help is being stretched thin, and some Texans are falling through. Full Story 

Texas law will outlaw minors from buying popular cough medicine

by Elizabeth Byrne

Texas joins 18 other states that have passed similar laws restricting access to over-the-counter cough medicines like Nyquil and Robitussin that include the ingredient dextromethorphan. Full Story 

Texas passes bill banning cities from partnering with Planned Parenthood on any services

by Arya Sundaram

The bill would prohibit such partnerships, even for services not related to abortions. Abortion rights advocates worry that the bill's broad language could even halt privately funded programs held on government property. Full Story 

Paid sick-leave ordinances likely survived the Texas Legislature. But businesses still want to kill them.

by Alex Samuels

Angry that the Legislature failed to overrule local ordinances requiring private employers to offer paid sick leave, many business groups are hoping the courts will finish the job for them. Full Story 

Texas expansion of medical cannabis nears finish line after Senate approval

by Alex Samuels

If the House approves changes made by the upper chamber, the bill will head to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. Full Story 

This session's biggest mental health bill got killed on a technicality — then resurrected

by Cassandra Pollock, Edgar Walters and Elizabeth Byrne

Senate Bill 10, focused on connecting children to mental health services, was knocked out of contention with a parliamentary maneuver Tuesday night but was revived as an amendment to another bill hours later. It's one of several measures the state's GOP leaders championed in the wake of the deadly shooting last year at Santa Fe High School. Full Story 

Texas House advances bill banning cities from partnering with Planned Parenthood on any services

by Arya Sundaram

Senate Bill 22 bars Texas governments from contracting with abortion providers or their affiliates — even for services like sexual health education and pregnancy prevention initiatives. Full Story 

Texas medical marijuana expansion gains steam in Senate, even after previous stonewalling

by Alex Samuels

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has expressed wariness to expanding the Compassionate Use Program, but the bill's Senate sponsor said Patrick helped craft the version that cleared a key hurdle Friday. Full Story 

Texas lawmakers close to sending “born alive” abortion bill to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk

by Arya Sundaram

Republicans in the Texas Senate passed the bill Thursday with the support of two Democrats. If the Texas House concurs with minor changes the Senate made to the measure, it will go to the governor. Full Story 

Texas House passes bill classifying fertility fraud as sexual assault

by Elizabeth Byrne

The legislation comes after Dallas resident Eve Wiley discovered that her mother's fertility doctor used his own sperm during an insemination procedure instead of the donor her mother selected. Full Story 

Texas House votes to raise legal smoking age to 21

by Elizabeth Byrne

The bill already passed the Senate but will require another vote in the upper chamber due to minor changes made in the House. Full Story 

Texas House passes second, more limited bill expanding access to medical cannabis

by Alex Samuels

It was the second time in as many days that the lower chamber moved to increase which medical conditions allow Texans to use CBD oil for treatment. But both bills face an uphill battle in the Senate. Full Story 

Texas Senate advances bill requiring pre-abortion counseling

by Arya Sundaram and Elizabeth Byrne

Supporters say the measure would prevent women from regretting an abortion after they have the procedure. But abortion rights advocates fear the bill lacks key protections, like a requirement for the counselor to be a licensed medical professional. Full Story 

With business groups’ backing, House panel adds non-discrimination protection to Senate bill

by Alex Samuels

State Rep. Dade Phelan added the provision to a Senate bill that would bar cities from enacting rules on how businesses schedule their employees’ shifts. LGBTQ groups worried that without the language, businesses could pick which employees get certain benefits. Full Story