Health care

Texas Senate passes legislation to prevent surprise medical bills with arbitration, mediation

by Elizabeth Byrne

Surprise medical bills happen when out-of-network health care providers and insurance companies can’t agree on the price of a medical treatment, leaving the patient to pick up the amount insurance won’t pay. Full Story 

Texas House approves “born alive” abortion bill

by Arya Sundaram

The House tentatively signed off on a bill Tuesday that would grant legal protections to babies born after failed abortion attempts, though such instances are extremely rare. Full Story 

For many Texas teachers, health insurance premiums are huge — but so are the hospital bills

by Forrest Milburn

It's not unusual for teachers to spend over $1,000 a month on health insurance. Full Story 

This Republican Texas lawmaker halted a bill to outlaw abortion. He now faces security concerns, sheriff says.

by Elizabeth Byrne

State Rep. Jeff Leach said a bill that criminalizes abortion will not advance beyond the committee he chairs. Full Story 

Texas could soon increase the legal age to buy tobacco, though active military members might be exempt

by Elizabeth Byrne

Senate Bill 21 passed Tuesday, raising the legal purchasing age for tobacco products from 18 to 21. But its author amended the legislation to exclude active military from the age raise. Full Story 

Texas House signs off on medical schools for Sam Houston State, University of Houston

by Carlos Anchondo

The schools still need approval from the Texas Senate. Full Story 

“That bill has now been poisoned”: Business groups worry sick-leave proposal faces uphill battle

by Alex Samuels

Some business groups who thought they had a slam dunk bill on employment benefits are now worried that LGBTQ opposition they tried to prevent could kill one of their priorities. Full Story 

Texas Senate moves to block local governments from partnering with abortion providers

by Arya Sundaram

Supporters say Senate Bill 22 would terminate "sweetheart rent deals," but abortion rights advocates say the legislation is the latest attempt in the legislature's years-long battle to reduce funding for abortion providers. Full Story 

Three Texas abortion bills pass committees, gaining momentum in Senate

by Arya Sundaram

Anti-abortion bills have gathered steam in the upper chamber — including a proposal to limit local funding for abortion providers and another to protect infants born alive after an abortion. Full Story 

Texas House approves 2020-21 budget plan, with extra $9 billion for school finance, property tax relief

by Edgar Walters, Cassandra Pollock and Alex Samuels

The House also signed off on a $9 billion supplemental budget that would withdraw $4.3 billion from the state savings account. Full Story 

Everyone wants a piece of the Texas budget. It's hard to succeed when most of the money is accounted for.

by Edgar Walters

Disability advocates want the Texas Legislature to invest in pay raises for home care workers. Even in a year of surplus, it's a difficult battle. Full Story 

Texas investigating highly contagious whooping cough at state Capitol

by Alex Samuels

Lawmakers were alerted that a page on the House floor had the infection, triggering discussions about vaccine policies in the state. Full Story 

Texas lawmakers are prioritizing mental health for school safety. But advocates worry about stigma.

by Marissa Evans

The newfound push this session around school safety and preventing mass shootings is reinvigorating ideas about mental health care for Texas children. But advocates often cringe when legislators make the argument that mental health care is the key to preventing mass shootings. Full Story 

Despite powerful supporters, medical cannabis proposals face obstacle in Dan Patrick

by Alex Samuels

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's wariness of proposals to expand the state's narrow medical cannabis program may block any such bills from reaching the governor's desk this session. Full Story 

In Iowa, Beto O'Rourke works to find his footing on health care

by Patrick Svitek

O'Rourke has long said he wants health care to be affordable, high quality and universal — a goal that brought questions from voters during his first few days as a presidential candidate. Full Story 

A federal safety net funds health care for uninsured Texans. Time is running short to negotiate its renewal.

by Edgar Walters

A federal program known as the 1115 waiver helps pay for the costs of providing health care to the uninsured. Advocates want the Texas Legislature to order a renegotiation of the waiver, which partially expires in 2021. Full Story 

Property tax proposal piles one more worry on Texas' rural hospital districts

by Shannon Najmabadi

Hospital leaders say restrictions on their property tax revenue growth could force them to scale back services. Full Story 

Immigration, border security remain the top worries of Texas voters, UT/TT Poll finds

by Ross Ramsey

Ask Texans what problems they're most worried about for the U.S. and for the state, and their eyes turn to the border between Texas and Mexico, the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll found. Full Story 

A Texas legislative session without an abortion fight? Unlikely.

by Marissa Evans

Despite the fact that lawmakers have so far been focused on bipartisan "bread and butter" issues like property taxes and school finance, more than a dozen abortion-related bills are circulating in the state Capitol. Full Story 

Texans don’t see eye-to-eye on climate, health care or taxes, UT/TT Poll finds

by Ross Ramsey

If you want a peek into the partisan differences among Texas voters, just check the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll's findings on climate change, health insurance plans and who ought to pay higher federal income taxes. Full Story