After a dizzying string of court actions on smokeable hemp this week, Texas 15th Court of Appeals agreed to allow the sale of the drug.
Health care
In-depth reporting on public health, healthcare policy, hospitals, and wellness issues shaping communities across Texas, from The Texas Tribune.
Rule that lets Texans obtain out-of-state abortion pills can continue for now, Supreme Court says
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that mifepristone must be obtained in person, a decision the countryโs highest court has temporarily blocked.
Texas wants to ban in-home ketamine and add more physician oversight during treatment
Ketamine industry leaders say Texas Medical Boardโs proposal to require physician supervision or limit treatments to two people at a time will force clinics to close.
Texas child abuse investigations over gender-affirming care no longer blocked
The Texas Supreme Court lifted temporary injunctions protecting three families and members of PFLAG, Inc., after CPS cases were dropped.
Texasโ foster care system is more likely to move children away from their communities
In 2025, one in three children placed in foster care was sent to a different region, sometimes hundreds of miles away, a Texas Tribune analysis of state data shows.
Michael and Susan Dell become UT Austin’s first $1 billion donors
The coupleโs latest $750 million investment will help build a new Austin medical center that will provide specialized care, such as MD Anderson cancer treatment, and integrate AI into care.
Texas will launch its own clinical trials into ibogaine psychedelic after failing to find a drug company to help
The stateโs effort will get a boost from the federal government thanks to a new executive order from President Donald Trump.
Trump taps Texasโ top public health official as CDC chief medical officer
Jennifer Shuford, an infectious disease physician who oversaw the countryโs largest measles outbreak in 30 years, is among a slate of CDC nominations with no apparent ties to the anti-vaccine movement.
Texas Medical Board sanctions three doctors for delayed care in the deaths of two pregnant women
After Porsha Ngumezi and Nevaeh Crain died during miscarriages, the board ruled that the doctorsโ substandard care led to the deaths and ordered them to complete extra training.
After conversion therapy ruling, therapists torn on future of Texas’ gender care ban
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled conversion therapy is free speech. Some LGBTQ+ advocates say the ruling applies to gender-affirming therapy, too, while others say the courts wonโt protect them.


