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.

Jonathan Boos jeopardizes Texas children's health

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

Jose M. Lozano opposes health care coverage for Texans

Health care for more Texans could bring more business to the state too. Politicians like Lozano vote against the Medicaid expansion however and continue to deny millions of Texans health insurance.

Lisa Luby Ryan is a risk to public health

Lisa Luby Ryan wants to serve in the Texas Legislature. She has a responsibility to protect public health. How can we trust her to do that?

Linda Koop: Opposes health care coverage for Texans

Over the course of her tenure in the Legislature, State Representative Linda Koop (R-Dallas) has been a consistent force and contributor toward Texans not having health care.

Measles continue to strike Texans, causes concern among doctors

As children head back to school, cases of measles highlights the serious risks of unvaccinated kids in the classroom.

Tony Tinderholt puts Texas children's health at risk

If the people Tinderholt is supposed to represent can’t trust him to do that, what can they trust him to do?

Valoree Swanson is putting Texas children at risk

If the people Swanson is supposed to represent can’t trust her to do that, what can they trust her to do?

Konni Burton puts Texas children at risk

Senator Konni Burton is gaining favor with an extremist group and putting Texas students at risk.

Konni Burton fails Texas women

When it comes to priorities, Burton’s made it clear that she’s a senator for insurers, not for her constituents.

The 'Golden Rule' and Texas' battle with paid sick leave

When it comes to the issue of living wage, Texas lawmakers have a real big problem with the Golden Rule.
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