Past Contributions

• How one grandmother fell into the health insurance gap — and why the Build Back Better plan could help cover Texans like her

  By Karen Brooks Harper Nov. 16, 2021

  At least 770,000 Texans are ineligible for both Medicaid and health insurance subsidies through the state-run marketplaces. Full Story 

• Unvaccinated Texans make up vast majority of COVID-19 cases and deaths this year, new state data shows

  By Karen Brooks Harper Nov. 8, 2021

  The new state survey is the first time Texas health officials have been able to statistically measure the vaccine's true impact on the pandemic. Full Story 

• Young Texans can soon get vaccinated against COVID-19 after CDC signs off on Pfizer shots for kids 5-11

  By Karen Brooks Harper Updated: Nov. 2, 2021

  The approval marks a long-awaited milestone in the nearly two-year fight against the deadly virus that experts say has likely already infected nearly half the population in that age group. Full Story 

• COVID-19 vaccines for kids 5-11 are heading to Texas after FDA gives Pfizer shot emergency use authorization

  By Karen Brooks Harper Oct. 29, 2021

  The federal government will now send a first shipment of more than a million doses destined for children in that age group to providers in nearly half of the state's counties. Full Story 

• FDA panel recommends approval of the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 5-11. Here's what that means for Texans.

  By Karen Brooks Harper and Brian Lopez Updated: Oct. 26, 2021

  The move opens the door to emergency use approval by the FDA. In Texas, about 2.9 million children would be newly eligible if that happens. Full Story 

• It’s cheap, easy to make and in demand overseas. So why can’t this Texas-born COVID-19 vaccine break into the U.S. market?

  By Karen Brooks Harper Oct. 19, 2021

  A Houston vaccine team would like a U.S. distributor but for now focuses its efforts abroad to inoculate those in countries where COVID-19 variants surface more quickly. Full Story 

• At least one major Texas abortion provider resumes procedure lawmakers tried to prohibit, after judge blocks near-total ban

  By Karen Brooks Harper Updated: Oct. 7, 2021

  The ruling late Wednesday from U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman doesn’t protect providers who perform abortions while the Texas law makes its way through the courts. Full Story 

• Texas nursing homes turn to state for help with staffing woes as vaccine mandate looms

  By Karen Brooks Harper Updated: Oct. 1, 2021

  About 40% of Texas nursing home workers are unvaccinated and could face dismissal or quit their jobs under a federal vaccination requirement for the industry. Full Story 

• Amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 deaths this summer, more Texans under 60 are dying

  By Karen Brooks Harper and Mandi Cai Sept. 24, 2021

  Health officials say that the state’s high rate of unvaccinated people contributed to a summer surge in hospitalizations, which preceded the spike in deaths. Full Story 

• The delta variant is wreaking havoc on most of Texas — but not El Paso. Here’s why.

  By Karen Brooks Harper Sept. 13, 2021

  High vaccination rates, geography and a sense of community in the wake of 2019’s Walmart shootings help keep El Paso’s delta numbers low, experts and locals say. Full Story