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.

Paid sick leave goes into effect for Dallas workers, but Attorney General Ken Paxton...

For many Texas workers, when illness or a family emergency strikes, there is little recourse to take time off if they want to stay...

Consumer protection measure against surprise medical billing faces implementation issues

This year, Texas legislators passed a bill to protect patients from surprise medical billing; however, implementation of the law, which is set to go...

State-run institutions for Texans with IDD floundering, yet flush with cash

For Texans living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), there are few options for state sponsored long-term care. And with the state funneling money...

Statewide hospital compliance hurts all over: Medicaid recipients get bruised by safety deficiencies

The typical hospital is envisioned as a place where sick people get better. But the 751 hospitals penalized by the federal government last year...

New hospital shows progress in state’s mental health concerns

The groundbreaking for a new psychiatric hospital located in Harris County this week shows signs the state is moving in a forward direction when...

86th Legislature Fails Texans with Pre-existing conditions

Protections for pre-existing conditions could be lost under a current lawsuit and the 86th legislative session failed to do anything to help protect some...

86th #TxLege Report Card: Vaccinations

Vaccinations take a hit in filing but nothing gets much further than that with trouble brewing. Background: During the 86th session the growing rate of anti...

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 of a...

86th #TxLege Report Card: Maternal Mortality (D-)

Women's health for the most part received little support in Texas’ 86th Legislative Session. At a time when 1-4 Texas women are uninsured, rural obstetrics...

Texas has more than 200 freestanding ERs. Lawmakers just passed bills to combat patient...

Ten years ago, Texas became the first state to allow licenses for independent freestanding emergency rooms. Since then, just over 200 have opened their...
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