Public News Service

Texas, Florida, Georgia and California have seen the largest declines in numbers of children enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP. Together, the four states account for half of the total national decrease in children insured in these programs. (Andrii/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

More than 1 million TX children disenrolled from Medicaid, CHIP

More than one million children in Texas no longer have health insurance through Medicaid, despite being eligible for coverage, according to a new …

Texas, Florida, Georgia y California registraron los mayores descensos en el n�mero de ni�os inscritos en Medicaid/CHIP. Los cuatro estados representan la mitad de la disminuci�n total nacional de ni�os asegurados en estos programas. (Andrii/Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Más de 1 millón de niños de TX dados de baja de Medicaid/CHIP

Más de un millón de niños en Texas ya no tienen seguro médico a través de Medicaid, a pesar de ser elegibles para la …

An engraved plaque on the National Fallen Firefighter's Monument bears a message from President Ronald Reagan. At the base of the monument, an eternal flame symbolizes the spirit of all firefighters, past, present and future. (National Fallen Firefighters Foundation)

Fallen TX firefighters to be remembered at national ceremony

More than 1,000 family members of firefighters who died in the line of duty, including some from Texas, will gather in Emmitsburg, Maryland, starting …

New research from the Episcopal Health Foundation showed the Texas economy could save billions of dollars, simply by breaking the cycle of preventable health disparities. (Colored Lights/Adobe Stock)

New study shows health disparities cost TX billions of dollars

Health disparities in Texas are not only making some people sick, but affecting the state's economy. A new study shows Texas is losing $7 billion a …

Gas flaring has persisted from the beginning of oil production more than 160 years ago. (supakitmod/Adobe Stock)

TX faith, environmental groups hopeful about new EPA methane rule

Oil and gas companies have until 2025 to reduce the emissions they release into the air through the practices known as venting and flaring. You may …

All libraries that are awarded funding through Libraries for Health are part of a collaborative learning cohort. (Liz Moskowitz)

For Central Texans, libraries can be a mental health resource

This is National Library Week, honoring the many roles that libraries play in their communities. In central Texas, a pilot program is using the …

Only two humans in the U.S. have been infected with avian flu in the United States. A case in Texas this month is the first time it has been linked to exposure to cattle. (syhin_stas/Adobe Stock)

Texas officials address human avian flu case

The cattle industry and health officials in Texas are on alert after a person contracted avian flu while working around infected cattle in the Texas P…

Financial pressures, lack of mental health resources in rural areas and a stigma about using them all contribute to a suicide rate among farmers that is triple the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association. (primipil/Adobe Stock)

TX works to address wildfire survivors' mental health

Residents in the Texas Panhandle are starting to put their lives back together after surviving the largest wildfire in the state's history. The …

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 43% of public school students attend schools where a majority of them are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. (Adobe Stock)

Texas food bank, schools team up to help needy families

To reach more hungry families, one Texas nonprofit is setting up mini food markets in schools. The Tarrant Area Food Bank in North Texas provides 60…

Dentists say daily flossing is key for avoiding the development and progression of periodontal disease. (NewAfrica/Adobestock)

Dentists: Good oral hygiene, heathy diet prevent most tooth decay

Like the saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away," good dental habits developed by children early in life can keep cavities at bay and prevent …

Neighborhoods lacking sidewalks can discourage people from getting exercise which could improve their health. (JacobLund/AdobeStock)

TX health foundation broadens focus beyond the doctor's office

There are Texas ZIP codes where people with lower incomes and few health services have a 20-year difference in life expectancy than those who are more…

The Texas Department of Transportation has approved a historic $142 billion in roadway spending over the next decade. (ABCDstock/Adobe Stock)

TX highway expansion comes with a human death toll

Texas road construction workers die at a higher rate than in any other state, and some believe it's because contractors aren't held accountable for …

Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the United States ranks lowest in life expectancy, for both men and women, among comparable countries. (flysnow/Adobe Stock)

Study: Voting benefits your health as much as democracy

Voting is not only good for democracy - it's also good for your health, according to one of the nation's largest medical associations. The American …

Among the Texas small business owners responding to a survey, 81% said the cost of health care constrains their ability to grow. (MaksymYemelyanov/AdobeStock)

Study: TX small businesses want lower health care costs, higher transparency

A new survey of the nation's small business owners showed a major challenge to successful operations is trying to provide health care for their employ…

The risk of cardiovascular disease increases as people age. (rocketclips/AdobeStock)

Report: Texans have fewer chronic health conditions but more heart disease

Eight chronic health conditions are on the rise across the U.S., with cardiovascular disease a particular concern in Texas. Overall, Texas had a low …

In addition to accelerating global warming, methane emissions can cause or exacerbate asthma and other respiratory conditions. (Hihitetlin/Adobe Stock)

New EPA rule expected to affect Texas oil industry emissions

A new rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency could reduce the amount of methane escaping from equipment in Texas oil fields. Last …

Federal data suggest at least seven in 10 people have lost their Medicaid coverage for procedural reasons, such as missed deadlines, paperwork lost in the mail, or slow processing by state agencies. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Medicaid’s 'unwinding' takes heavy toll on Texas children

More American children had health insurance during the pandemic than ever before. But now, as states are required to re-enroll those eligible for …

Los datos federales sugieren que al menos siete de cada 10 personas han perdido su cobertura de Medicaid por motivos de procedimiento, como el incumplimiento de plazos, la p�rdida de documentaci�n en el correo o la lentitud en la tramitaci�n por parte de las agencias estatales. (zimmytws/Adobestock)

'Unwinding' de Medicaid cobra alto precio a niños de Texas

Durante la pandemia, aún más niños estadounidenses tuvieron seguro médico, pero ahora que los estados están obligados a …

Among all tobacco products, youths perceived e-cigarettes to be the least harmful, according to the Texas Youth Tobacco Survey. yta/AdobeStock)

CDC: mixed success on tobacco reduction among school kids

Cigarettes may not appeal to America's youth like they did in the 1960s, but a significant number still experiment with e-cigarettes. The Centers …

Abortion pills are playing an increasingly prominent role in post-Roe America. (fizkes/AdobeStock)

Abortion pill pipeline increases availability in 'red states'

By Carrie Baker for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News Service …

The number of Texans who skipped or postponed some sort of health care because of cost has reached an all-time high, according to a new survey by the Episcopal Health Foundation. (Malik/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

Poll: Texans skip, delay medical care as affordability, access worsens

More than half of those who responded to a new Texas health care poll said it is becoming more difficult to afford, and the number of those who do …

Suicide rates in rural communities increased by 48% between 2000 and 2018, compared with 34% in urban areas, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. (StockMediaProduction/Adobe Stock)

TX AgriStress Helpline highlighted for Suicide Prevention Month

Texas farmers face the obvious stressors of weather, costs and market fluctuations, but their responsibility of providing for family and workers also …

Texas lawmakers passed legislation in 2021, allowing many residents to purchase health-care plans in 2023 with lower deductibles and little to no premiums. (AdobeStock/Rawpixel.com)

Health-care coverage: Getting best bang for the buck in Texas

It is open-enrollment season for health insurance plans, and experts say a little research can go a long way toward obtaining better coverage for …

Due to service disruptions caused by the three-year pandemic, the Social Security Administration plans to implement a new telephone platform for its toll-free number by the end of 2023. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Many Texans May Be Unaware They're Eligible for SSI Benefits

Most people eligible for Social Security know what's required to access the program, but another federal program aimed at underserved communities …

In 2023, 566 anti-trans bills have been introduced in 49 states including 65 in Texas, according to Trans Legislation Tracker. (inkdrop/AdobeStock)

TX High Court Not Persuaded to Protect Transgender Health Care

Texas has adopted some of the strictest gender-affirming transgender restrictions in the nation. And the leader of a trans advocacy group says it has …

The overall number of Americans without health insurance dropped to a record low in the first three months of 2023, a number expected to rise as Medicaid rolls are purged post-pandemic. (NewAfrica/AdobeStock)

Texans Navigate the Post-Pandemic Medicaid Purge

A nationwide purge of Medicaid rolls is underway after a three-year pause during the pandemic. And in Texas, most of those dropped are children…

El n�mero total de estadounidenses sin seguro m�dico cay� a un m�nimo hist�rico en los primeros tres meses de 2023, un n�mero que se espera que aumente a medida que las listas de Medicaid son purgadas despu�s de la pandemia. (NewAfrica/AdobeStock)

Tejanos navegan purga de Medicaid post-pandémica

Se está llevando a cabo una purga a nivel nacional de las listas de Medicaid después de una pausa de tres años durante la pandemia…

A new poll by four environmental groups found a majority of Texas voters, 58% to 33%, want the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen its proposal to eliminate emissions from routine flaring at oil wells. (Alexisaj/Adobestock)

Poll: Two-Thirds of Texas Voters Support Tougher EPA Methane Rules

As conservationists await finalization of revised rules governing methane on public lands, a new survey shows a majority of Texans support stronger …

'Gen Z' Workforce Wants Employers to Step Up Mental-Health Benefits

Seeking help for mental health does not carry the same stigma for "Generation Z" Texans as it did for previous workers, and can be a deal-breaker if …

Almost 60% of caregivers in the United States are women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (GeckoStudio/AdobeStock)

AARP: Texas Needs More Caregivers for Aging Population

One in five people across the United States is a full- or part-time caregiver, with those in Texas providing $41 billion in unpaid care each year…

From Florida to Texas and California, excessive heat warnings have plagued the United States for weeks. (ALAN/AdobeStock)

TX Bill Banning Heat-Related Worker Breaks Could Be Overridden

Scorching temperatures are not letting up across much of the Southwest, including Texas, just as the issue of how to protect outdoor workers heats up …

While some states require licensing, Texas doulas can offer physical, emotional and informational support to their clients without a certification. (AntonioDiaz/AdobeStock)

As Costs Escalate, Texas Increases Nonmedical Maternal Health Care

Texas is recognizing maternal health care is not just about doctor's visits, with a new law taking effect this fall to enhance screening for …

Texas is a leading exporter of agricultural commodities, including peanuts. (maryviolet/AdobeStock)

Transitioning to Organics Made Easier for Texas Farmers

Texas farmers who want to transition some of their land from conventional crops to organics are getting help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture…

The average cost of center-based child care for a toddler in 2021 was nearly $9,000 in Texas, which is 9% of the median income of a couple and 28% of a single parent's income, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Children's Advocates Lament 'Missed Opportunities' by TX Lawmakers

A child advocacy group in Texas is already looking ahead to the 2025 legislative session, after several policy changes it supported this year failed …

As of Sept. 1, a new Texas law will repeal ordinances enacted by Austin and Dallas establishing 10-minute breaks every four hours, to allow construction workers to drink water and get out of the sun. (thebigland45/Adobe Stock)

Amid Heat Wave, New TX Law Limits Outdoor Workers' Water Breaks

Parts of Texas have been suffering from dangerous heat, just after Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott signed a law to strip authority from cities, including …

The lack of nearby and affordable child care in the U.S. affects job opportunities and costs the economy $122 billion annually, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

Report: Texas Ranks 44th in Nation for Child Well-Being

Child well-being in Texas is on the ropes, with a new study showing significant declines in third grade reading, eighth grade math proficiency and …

July 2022 was the hottest July since 1895 in Texas, according to Weather.com. (praewpailyn/Adobe Stock)

Texas Heatwaves are Coming; New Toolkit Available to Docs

Extreme heat kills about 700 people in the United States each year, but a new toolkit and weather alerts can protect folks in Texas and beyond…

ACLU Plans Lawsuit If TX Anti-Trans Bills Become Law

The culture war over transgender identity is spreading in GOP-led states, and Texas is among those passing the harshest laws. The Human Rights …

Scientific evidence shows air pollution can contribute to adverse birth outcomes, infant mortality, damaged lung function, asthma, cancer and even neurological disorders and childhood obesity, according to UNICEF data. (SoloviovaLiudmyla/AdobeStock)

West Dallas Neighborhood Seeks Relief From Major Air Polluter

A West Dallas neighborhood, citing decades of air and noise pollution, wants an asphalt shingle plant to abandon its decades-old location - but foot-…

In a February survey, about 36% of Texas adults reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder, compared with 32% of adults nationwide, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Nattakorn/AdobeStock)

Study: "Sunshine Calls" Hold Promise for Reducing Depression

Many Americans experience depression or anxiety, but a new Texas study shows a regular phone call to those suffering can reduce symptoms. Known as …

In Texas, abortion is completely banned with very limited exceptions. This forces patients to make two trips out of state, one for in-person counseling and another at least 24 hours later for the abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

Showdown Over Abortion Medication Continues

The battle over a prescription drug used in abortions continues, now to be heard by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on May 17. The pill…

In a survey, 50% of small business owners say hospital consolidations lead to a lack of competition, making hospital services more expensive for employees and eating into their pay, according to Small Business for America's Future. (ASHFAQ/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Hospital Consolidation Makes Employee Healthcare Tougher in TX

Small businesses owners in Texas are looking for help from lawmakers as the cost they pay to provide employees with health care coverage continues to …

Insufficient sleep in the United States was estimated to cost $411 billion in missed work days and reduced productivity, according to a 2016 report by the Rand Corporation. (YuryZap/Adobe Stock)

Taking Sleep to the Next Level for Better Mental, Physical Health

There aren't many quick fixes for getting a restful night's sleep, but experts say if Texans want to improve their physical and mental health…

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, many states have passed near-total bans on abortion, with some states criminalizing the procedure and those who assist others in obtaining one. (traci1/Adobe Stock)

Dueling Opinions Likely to Send Abortion Issue to U.S. Supreme Court

Access to medication abortion will be front and center this week after two competing court rulings, in Texas and Washington, were handed down Friday…

Soot is the most widespread and deadliest air pollutant in the United States and can lead to heart ailments, lung disease, asthma attacks and shortened lives. (Liubomir/Adobe Stock)

New EPA Rules for "Soot" Pollution Could Improve Air for Texans

Most Texans take breathing for granted - unless the air is polluted. It's a health issue the Biden administration hopes to mitigate through new …

Peer-reviewed research on the use of misoprostol alone for abortion, published this month by the University of Texas at Austin, found it was 88% effective, with few serious adverse events or signs of complications. (ivanko80/AdobeStock)

TX Court Ruling with Nationwide Implications for Abortion Expected Soon