The Democratic state representative from Houston on his Republican colleagues’ quest for a federal Medicaid waiver, the problem with block grants and what realistically the feds could do to help Texas and other states.
Health care
In-depth reporting on public health, healthcare policy, hospitals, and wellness issues shaping communities across Texas, from The Texas Tribune.
UT/TT Poll: Voters Want Budget Cuts but Don’t Like Options
By more than 2 to 1, Texas voters believe lawmakers should solve the state’s shortfall by cutting the budget, according to the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll, but they’re divided on specific cuts.
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The best of our best content from Feb. 14 to 18, 2011.
The Week in Texas Politics Recap: 2/14 to 2/18
No time to follow every twist and turn of the Texas Legislature? We’ve made it easier for you with our weekly recaps of the action under the dome.
Minorities Drove Strong Texas Growth, Census Figures Show
Texas’ explosive growth during the past decade was fueled by a boom in its minority population, which accounted for 89 percent of the total increase in population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Texas Seeks Medicaid Waiver, but Prognosis Is Poor
Only months ago, Texas lawmakers threatened to drop out of Medicaid. Now, Texas and other financially strapped states are asking Washington for permission to operate the program as they see fit.
Video: Texas Senate Passes Abortion Sonogram
Abortion sonogram legislation passed the Senate 21 to 10, and is moving to the House, where the overwhelming Republican majority is expected to pass it. Here’s a look at the floor debate.
Senate Floor Debate on Sonogram Bill
Abortion sonogram legislation passed the Senate 21 to 10, and is moving to the House, where the overwhelming Republican majority is expected to pass it. Here’s a look at the floor debate.
Abbott Ruling Will Exclude Planned Parenthood
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott just released two opinions expected to force Planned Parenthood out of the state’s Women’s Health Program, which provides family planning, but not abortions, to Medicaid patients.
2010 Census Data for Texas Released
New U.S. census data shows the Hispanic population in Texas increased by 42 percent since 2000 and makes up 38 percent of the population. The state’s total population increased by 4,293,741 since 2000.

