Though Gov. Rick Perry’s economic speech today is expected to focus on his proposal for a national flat tax, as Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune reports, the governor is also expected to push for a balanced-budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Health care
In-depth reporting on public health, healthcare policy, hospitals, and wellness issues shaping communities across Texas, from The Texas Tribune.
Guest Column: No Better Care, Thanks to Tort Reform
The sweeping medical lawsuit reforms of 2003 had two demonstrable effects: Doctors, hospitals and malpractice insurers got richer; and many contingent fee lawyers were put out of business. Which was exactly what proponents of the reforms wanted.
Guest Column: Better Care, Thanks to Tort Reform
Since the passage of sweeping medical lawsuit reforms in 2003, liability insurance rates have plummeted, doctors have flocked to our state in record numbers and nursing homes and hospitals are again operational. That’s good for patients โ and good for Texas.
TribLive: A Conversation with Susan Combs
At last Thursday’s TribLive conversation, Comptroller Susan Combs talked about the health of the Texas economy, her agency’s data breach, her shifting position on abortion and more.
Despite Reforms, Abuse Continues at Texas Institutions for Disabled
More than two years after Texas leaders signed a federal agreement to improve care at the stateโs institutions, not even a quarter of its terms have been met and mistreatment is still commonplace.
Tackling the Teen Pregnancy Crisis
Health educators and advocates gathered at the Capitol yesterday to talk about what they call the problem of teen pregnancy in Texas. The state has the third highest teen birth rate in the nation, and the second highest rate of repeat teen pregnancy. As KUTโs Matt Largey reports, itโs also an expensive problem for taxpayers.
Things to Do: The House’s Interim Charges
The House’s interim charges are out, starting with instructions to everyone to consider ways to improve the state’s manufacturing capability and increase the “transparency, accountability, and efficiency” in state government.
Soapbox: No Better Care, Thanks to Tort Reform
The sweeping medical lawsuit reforms of 2003 had two demonstrable effects: Doctors, hospitals and malpractice insurers got richer; and many contingent fee lawyers were put out of business. Which was exactly what proponents of the reforms wanted.
Soapbox: Better Care, Thanks to Tort Reform
Since the passage of sweeping medical lawsuit reforms in 2003, liability insurance rates have plummeted, doctors have flocked to our state in record numbers and nursing homes and hospitals are again operational. That’s good for patients โ and good for Texas.
Straus Releases Interim Charges for House Committees
House Speaker Joe Straus has released the interim charges that will direct the work of the lower chamber’s legislative committees for the next 11 months โ and lawmakers will be busy.


