INSIDER
While the state says undocumented patients cost hospitals $329 million over three months, critics say the data lacks payment information and more context.
The package includes $13.5 billion to reimburse states for border spending. It is expected to meet resistance in the House from some Texas Republicans.
A North Texas man charged with capital murder after slipping mifepristone into his girlfriend’s food signals another attempt to rein in abortion pills.
Although Patrick and hemp industry leaders have quarreled over the risks and benefits of THC, cannabis researchers say it can be addictive but doesn’t usually cause widespread psychosis or brain damage.
Texas and other states have criticized a decision by the national psychologist licensing board to add another expensive test in order for psychologists to become certified.
Hemp industry leaders say they agree with regulations similar to how the state regulates alcohol.
Abbott cited uncertainty over federal funding of the program as his reason for rejecting the state’s participation.
More than 3 million people call rural Texas home, and many lack access to a primary care doctor.
A federal judge determined the state illegally institutionalized severely disabled people for decades, often in poorly run facilities.
State chapters of the nonprofit group that provide meals to seniors are waiting to hear from Washington how much of a hit their battered budgets will take.
The court split 6-3 along ideological lines on a case from Tennessee. About two dozen states have similar bans in place.
Texas hemp users stockpile products and consider moving out of state as ban looms, saying the medical marijuana program is currently an untenable alternative.
Lawmakers have approved funding clinical trials for ibogaine as a treatment for addiction and brain trauma. It comes as Texas contemplates banning THC.
The facility will bring mental health resources closer to the largely rural region that’s home to nearly 436,000 people.
Two years after Stephanie Muth became Department of Family and Protective Services commissioner, staff turnover is down and the number of children without a placement has dropped.
The program would give low income families an extra $120 per child for summer lunches, but federal debate about food benefits could endanger the program.
Texas passed sweeping changes to cannabis policy, including expanding the medical marijuana program and banning hemp products, while also boosting psychedelics research.
The Legislature wrapped up without the same drama that defined the end of the last two sessions, with state GOP leaders checking off nearly everything on their to-do lists.
Texas is poised to lead the country in an initiative to inform denizens of what’s in their food. Food industry experts say it’s going too far.
A boost in public school spending, school vouchers, and money for water systems are other highlights of the state budget, which was bolstered by a $24 billion surplus.
Many trans Texans have changed the sex listed on their birth certificate, driver’s licenses and other documents. They say their identities will be invalidated under bill headed to governor's desk.
House Bill 46, which awaits Gov. Greg Abbott’s approval, would include more patients with chronic pain and allow for prescribed vaporized and aerosol products, such as vapes.
The House made changes to the proposal that leave open ways for victims to be compensated beyond medical bills.
The governor has not addressed whether he supports the ban, as hemp industry leaders have urged him to veto Senate Bill 3.
Instead of waiting for the state to send them one, parents would be able to print out vaccine exemption forms at home if they want to skip school-required shots. Critics believe the bill would increase infections.
Many low-income families would see cuts in health care and food benefits. The state hopes for a big reimbursement for border security spending.
A bill that would make it illegal to sell THC products could soon head over to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk. For a cannabis store employee, lawmakers don't know enough about the industry they're trying to shut down.
The bill, which is poised to become law, creates up to a $250,000 fine for medical professionals who change a patients’ listed sex outside of certain exemptions.
Lawyers representing foster children asked the high court to reinstate a contempt order against the state, and the judge who issued it.
Some measures that made it through before midnight dealt with jail bonds, an unconstitutional ban on gay sex, and the liability of vaccine manufacturers.
Texas’ governor joins other Republican governors making similar requests to ban purchases of candy and soda through the SNAP program.
It is unclear whether the House bill could come back as an amendment to another measure before the legislative session ends June 2.
The bill contains many provisions legal experts say are likely unconstitutional, including one that says it can’t be challenged in state court.
If it becomes law, the bill would define sex based on reproductive organs and require state documents and policies to comply with that framework.
Opponents fear that fentanyl test strips will increase the usage of the deadly drug.
The bill would allow a vaccine exemption form to be downloadable. Currently, a form must be requested from the state and mailed to the recipient.
In the deadly summer of 2020, Hispanics in Texas were half of all COVID-19 deaths, spurring many to vaccinate. Today, in a startling flip, Hispanics make up less than a quarter of deaths from the disease.
During a visit to College Station, the U.S. health secretary said Europe has a worse track record with the virus, which gets too much media attention.
Students are concerned the legislation could silence supportive teachers, dismantle safe spaces, lead to overenforcement and prevent honest conversations about identity.
Policy experts say undocumented immigrants' cost to hospitals is a small fraction of the total cost from uninsured Texans.
Some Republicans have bristled at the hefty cost of the bill, and Democrats could reject the funding for it over the school voucher dispute.
The revised bill, which seeks to clarify when a doctor can perform medically necessary abortions, aims to address concerns from abortion advocates and conservative groups.
A state employee testified Monday that tens of thousands of people in the U.S. unlawfully were treated, but it was unclear how long the data had been collected.
The Senate voted Wednesday to give initial approval to a bill that would require buildings, including public schools and universities, among others to segregate private facilities, like bathrooms, by sex.
Four people tied to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office committed suicide recently, calling attention to ongoing mental health struggles among law enforcement.
For the first time since Texas outlawed nearly all abortions, lawmakers are clarifying the “life of mother” exception. But they don’t plan to address cases where the fetus won’t survive.
State health officials added four more counties to what they consider “outbreak areas” and advise those visiting or living in those counties to consult measles vaccination guidance for those areas.
Much of the outbreak is concentrated in the districts of Texas House leaders, including Speaker Dustin Burrows. The crisis appears to have done little to change support for “vaccine choice.”
A survey is shedding some uncomfortable light on Texas' quality of Children's health care. “The quality of children’s health care should be one of the most important considerations for parents when deciding where to live,” Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst said in a statement.
While Democrats and abortion access advocates pushed to ensure pregnant women aren’t criminalized, some conservatives questioned whether this bill is needed.
Paxton’s office launched an investigation into the district’s policy after an administrator was caught on tape discussing a possible loophole in the state’s ban.
Maria Rojas’ attorneys got their first chance to address the claims against her Thursday. She was released on bond but a judge ordered the clinics to remain closed.
Some health care providers in support of Senate Bill 2880 said people who are mailed abortion pills aren’t given instructions and do not receive follow-up care.
Senate Bill 31 supporters say it would clarify when doctors should intervene to save a pregnant woman’s life, but critics say its vagueness and a measure to resurrect pre-Roe laws hamper it.
Only Gov. Greg Abbott can call for a special session. But in his role presiding over the Texas Senate, Patrick can block any bill from passing, giving him leverage to compel overtime sessions by killing must-pass legislation.
As the U.S. Senate is set to vote for a new leader of Medicare, Dr. Bruce Scott, President of the American Medical Association, spoke of serious concerns he and other medical officials have over Medicare’s current state.
The measles vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective against the disease, which is highly contagious and can be life threatening.
A Senate bill filed Friday does not expand abortion access, but aims to give doctors clarity while operating under laws that come with up to life in prison.
Per the attorney general’s nonbinding opinion, state agencies should change gender markers on government documents back to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
The Legislature is considering bills that would lift long-standing restrictions on how Texas’ panel can investigate maternal deaths and near-misses.
The measles outbreak in rural Texas has exposed how hospital buildings are ill-equipped. Meanwhile, long distances between providers makes testing people and transporting samples difficult.
A new law was meant to uphold standards at homes where substance abusers are trying to rebuild their lives. But compliance is proving difficult.
The legislation would require voters to approve the $3 billion start-up cost, and then the fund would be maintained at no more than $300 million annually.
