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.

Texans Who Rely On Medicaid Are In Big Trouble

The Texas Medicaid system is going through some major changes and millions of Texans are losing access to care. The first problem is the return...

Study Finds That COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe for Pregnant and Lactating Moms

Pregnant women were excluded from clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine, therefore, there has been limited data around the safety of the vaccine for...

How to Shop Smart for 2021 Obamacare Insurance Plans

While the U.S. Supreme Court was listening to oral arguments about the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act earlier this week, thousands of Texans...

Texas Hospitals Caught In Crossfire After Doctor Challenges Abbott’s Order 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned hospitals that failing to comply with his executive order regarding Medicaid patient intake forms could jeopardize their funding.The controversy...

Unsafe Abortions Will Not Be Counted In Maternal Deaths

A committee that tracks maternal deaths in Texas will not be allowed to count those resulting from abortions. According to The Houston Chronicle, the Texas...

New Bill Would Tackle Statute of Limitations for Fertility Doctors Who Use Their Own...

Fraud and malpractice in fertility medicine is unfortunately a long-running and pervasive problem, particularly when it comes to doctors choosing to use their own...

First Local Malaria Case In Texas In 30 Years. Is It Time To Worry?

The first locally transmitted case of malaria in Texas in 30 years was officially announced last June 23. The patient was diagnosed with malaria...

Thousands of disadvantaged Texas children dropped from Medicaid

According to a report by Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families, an estimated 835,000 Texas children went without health insurance in 2017, an...
Texas Obamacare legacy

Texas Obamacare Decision Coming Soon

Texas Obamacare lawsuit could turn healthcare coverage into a lump of coal this holiday season with millions of people losing their healthcare. In Texas...

Morgue Trailers Showing Up in Texas as Calls Intensify for Another Shutdown

With space for bodies running out, morgue trailers are now being put into use in several areas of Texas. Refrigerated trucks have been requested for...
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