Healthcare

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.

Two Texas Planned Parenthoods Won’t Give Back PPP Loans

Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and Houston do not intend to return Payroll Protection Program loans they received under the first COVID-19 relief bill...

Don’t Skip Your 2020 Mammogram; Your Life May Depend on It

This month ask your mom and your girlfriends if they have made appointments for their annual mammograms. There’s no better time than October, which...

Medicaid Waiver Expiration Is Making A Harsh Impact On East Texas Healthcare Services

News of the Medicaid waiver expiration had an extremely sour note on East Texas health care businesses.  A number of clinics relied on the...

Senate Report Ignores Expert Advice On Vaccine Mandates

A Texas Senate report on COVID response released last week ignored expert testimony and supported a ban on vaccine mandates. Three members of the...

“Sen. Cruz, What About My Daughter’s Tragic Life Was ‘Reasonable?’”

One of the hardest things about Samantha Casiano’s daughter’s death was the gifts. Friends, family, and well-wishers saw only a pregnant woman, not someone...

It is Still Not Safe to Give Birth in Texas

The Lone Star State ranks among the worst states for maternal mortality and low overall for women’s health. Since 2016, the state of Texas has seen a 9 percent increase in the rate of maternal deaths, with the current rate standing at 34.2 per 100,000 live births.

The Kids Aren’t Alright: How Texas puts its children at risk

Texas ranked 41 in the foundation’s 2019 Kids Count Data Book, underscoring the shortcomings of interrelated systems to competently support the welfare of children...

Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert Single-Handedly Delays Coronavirus Relief Bill

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) single handedly delays the House from passing the coronavirus relief bill from moving to the Senate.  Gohmert is holding up a...

Teens are Struggling. Here Are Ways to Help Them Cope

Teenagers have had their schedules and routines, friendships and other relationships upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.  “The types of stressors that youth may be experiencing...
Health Care

State Shelves Budget-Balancing Cuts in Maternal and Child Health Care

Texas Health and Human Services has decided cutting health care services for women and children may not be the best way to close pandemic-related...
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