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Texas has the highest uninsured rate of children, adults, and women in the country. Reform Austin is committed to providing in-depth reporting to illuminate the critical issues and challenges Texans are facing in healthcare.
Texas is one of 14 states that refuses to expand Medicaid coverage. Almost 10 years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, Texas still ranks last when it comes to affordability and access.
Additionally, a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act could cost 1.73 million people healthcare coverage. Texas is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.
Texas still ranks among the worst for maternal mortality and low overall for women’s health. One in four Texas women are uninsured. Currently, women can obtain maternity Medicaid coverage until 2 months after childbirth. Advocates have argued that the coverage length is insufficient, and to address the maternal mortality crisis, coverage should be expanded to one year. Though Medicaid expansion would have made the biggest stride in improving women’s health, the policy did not get beyond a committee hearing or House floor vote in the 86th Legislative Session.
Approximately 875,000 Texas children do not have health insurance. From 2016 to 2018, the percentage of uninsured children rose from 10.7 percent to 11.2 percent. In Texas, once a child is approved for Medicaid they are covered for six months. After the six-month period, the state requires parents to file income updates monthly to continue the coverage. If the state determines there is a problem, parents are given 10 days to respond with necessary paperwork. This has led to many children being removed from the Medicaid roles, despite still qualifying for the program.
Reform Austin covers access to healthcare, healthcare quality, mental health, public health programs, and vaccinations. We report on laws the Texas Legislature passes and the effects they have on the healthcare system, as well as the laws that fail. In addition, we report on lawmakers involved to ensure our elected leaders are working for the public good.

Texas vaccine exemption rates have reached an all-time high. Did Texas make it too...

As measles cases hit a 25-year high in the United States, Texas medical experts fear the state could see the next outbreak...

Affordable Care Act: Fixer Upper or Tear Down?

Correction: Previously, we wrote "A decision has yet to be made" regarding the Texas-led lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act in front...

Will On-site Health Care Help Texas’ Economy Recover?

When more people begin showing up at workplaces again, will doctors and nurses be on payrolls so companies can be proactive in...

Texas’ Uninsured Rate Hits New Record During the Pandemic

Already the uninsured capital of the nation, access to health care in Texas has worsened during the pandemic.  A...

Texas AFT launches Letter Campaign to Abbott About Lack of School Nurses

Is there a nurse in the house? The Texas Federation of Teachers has launched a letter-writing campaign to Gov. Greg Abbott about...

Good Bill Hunting: Tracking Data for Maternal Mortality in Texas

Good Bill Hunting is a weekly series during the legislative session where RA News will look at a bill or piece of...

Two Million Texans Could Be On Obamacare, But Aren’t

Among Texas’ uninsured population are 2 million residents who could be signed up for extremely cheap health insurance through the government-run health...

Jonathan Boos jeopardizes Texas children's health

Instead of safeguarding the health of Texans, Jonathan Boos has ignored the proven benefits of vaccinations.
Texas children health insurance

Activists block walk to raise lack of health coverage awareness on Nov.9-10

Texas ranks dead last when it comes to healthcare costs and access. The state leads the nation in the number of uninsured....

This session's biggest mental health bill just got killed on a technicality – then...

State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, on the House floor on Tuesday. Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune The story has been updated: 12AM Wednesday, May 22 A major mental...

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