The latest health care news from The Texas Tribune.
Lawmakers approved measures in the 83rd legislative session that will affect Texans' medical care. Use this interactive to take a look at 31 ways those new laws will change Texas health policy. This is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Texas lawmakers invested millions of new dollars in the 2013 legislative session to address a looming physician shortage, but the medical community remains concerned that Texas has no long-term solution. Full Story
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The Health and Human Services Commission will create a program to promote the resale of certain equipment that was purchased with Medicaid dollars. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry’s office is disputing reports that the state is negotiating with the federal government to draw down $100 million in additional financing under a rule created by the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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In an effort to pay for better performance, the federal government is penalizing 169 Texas hospitals that had the highest rates of Medicare patients readmitted within 30 days of being treated for heart failure, heart attacks or pneumonia. Full Story
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Thousands of Texans with disabilities housed in nursing homes without access to rehabilitative care could see improved living conditions under an interim agreement reached with the state on Monday. Full Story
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The people who make up the Military Veteran Peer Network have overcome mental illness — or at least learned to manage it — and have made it their mission to show fellow veterans a healthy way out of their mental troubles. Full Story
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About 1,000 Texans work as volunteers for the state-funded Military Veteran Peer Network. The 83rd Legislature recognized their work and is helping the organization grow its ranks. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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With the rollout of many Affordable Care Act provisions approaching, the federal government announced Thursday that eight Texas organizations will receive a combined $10.8 million to hire and train “navigators” to help the uninsured find coverage. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz will press the flesh with Texans over the next couple of weeks with town hall meetings and visits with business leaders across the state. Full Story
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Fewer college students will be required to have meningitis vaccinations, and new rules also make it easier for some students to opt out of the vaccinations. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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All Texas hospitals with emergency rooms will soon be required to have staff trained in at least basic collection of forensic evidence from sexual assault victims. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Fewer college students will be required to have meningitis vaccinations, and new rules also make it easier for some students to opt out of the vaccinations. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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While most Americans do in fact have an opinion on the Affordable Care Act, to say that they understand it — at all, let alone “all too well” — runs contrary to the data currently available. Full Story
In the 2013 legislative session, lawmakers sought to mitigate the impact of 2011 budget cuts by boosting women's health spending. But advocates have raised concerns that new abortion restrictions could create additional burdens. Full Story
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During a visit to Austin on Thursday, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discussed the federal government's plans for expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Full Story
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The federal government is open to expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act in a way that is “uniquely Texan,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday in Austin. Full Story
After hearing critics take aim at the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, legislators approved new regulations that they hope will improve the board's efficiency. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Though Texas will join 26 other states in defaulting to a federal marketplace for purchasing health insurance, it is one of only six that will not enforce new health insurance reforms prescribed by the law. Full Story
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Thousands of untested rape kits are likely to get processed for DNA evidence after state budget writers included $11 million for the effort in the 2014-15 budget. This story is part of our monthlong 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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