The Texan at the top of the American Medical Association explains why Texas has so much to gain from the health care overhaul, what effect tort reform has had on the state’s medical costs, and what the political ramifications are for his organization’s support of the reform bill.
Health care
In-depth reporting on public health, healthcare policy, hospitals, and wellness issues shaping communities across Texas, from The Texas Tribune.
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Health care
After the Fight
A year ago, staff at the Corpus Christi State School were forcing mentally disabled wards to fight each other, and state lawmakers raced to enact new accountability measures. How are they working out? Ben Philpott, who covers politics and public policy for KUT News and the Tribune, has this report.
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Health care
TribBlog: Does Texas Already Mandate Health Insurance? [UPDATED]
Attorney General Greg Abbott is suing the feds for mandating that individuals buy health insurance. Some Texas political observers say Abbott did exactly that in 2009.
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Health care
HuTube: Neugebauer’s Web Video Mea Culpa
U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, produced an upbeat video mea culpa after he yelled “baby killer” on the floor of the U.S. House Sunday night. Check it out.
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Demographics
On the Records: Texas’ Suburban Growth
Seven Texas counties — Rockwall, Williamson, Collin, Hays, Fort Bend, Montgomery and Denton — are listed among the nation’s 30 fastest growing areas, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today. They also voted for John McCain in the 2008 presidential race.
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Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Read Abbott’s Health Care Lawsuit
President Barack Obama signed the health care reform bill into law this morning. Texas and 12 other states promptly filed a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality. Read that lawsuit here.
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Health care
The Price of Reform
Behind the fiery health care rhetoric is a measure expected to dramatically expand Texas’ Medicaid program, adding up to 1 million adults to the state’s insurance roll — but at a steep cost. Texas will have to come up with hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue to foot its share of the bill.
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Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Abbott Explains Health Care Lawsuit
Listen to Attorney General Greg Abbott explain why he and other attorneys general are suing the federal government over the just-passed health care reform bill.
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Health care
HuTube: Another Reason to Love C-SPAN
Did you miss your Texas lawmaker’s floor speech on health care reform yesterday? No fear. C-SPAN’s new video library (still in beta) has the video for you.
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Health care
TribBlog: Neugebauer Shouted “Baby Killer”
“I have apologized to Mr. Stupak and also apologize to my colleagues for the manner in which I expressed my disappointment about the bill,” says U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock.