2026 Legislative Testimonies

TMA physician leaders recommend lawmakers and government entities consider these proposals in 2026-27, as medicine works on behalf of patients to improve Texas’ health care system. TMA conducts this work in anticipation of the start of the 90th session of the Texas Legislature convening in January 2027.

Below are testimonies physicians have delivered during the 2026 legislative interim to lawmakers and state agencies.
TMA Advocacy by Topic

Affordability

Budget

Health Information Technology (HIT)

Health Insurance

Public Health

Quality

Workforce/Education
Affordability

TMA Council on Legislation Chair James “Jimmy” Widmer, MD, testified before the House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability. (Sept. 1, 2026)
Budget

Physicians Seek Funding for Medicaid, CHIP, and Other Safety Net Programs Under the Texas Health & Human Services Commission (TMA, Texas Pediatric Society Written Testimony by Lauren Gamibll, MD, to the Legislative Budget Board, Sept. 26, 2026)

Physicians, Other Health Leaders Seek 2026-27 Funding for Public Health, Disease Prevention, and Maternal/Child Health Programs
(TMA, Texas Pediatric Society, Texas Public Health Coalition Testimony by Maria Monge, MD to the Legislative Budget Board, Sept.11, 2026)

Physicians Seek Funding for Disease Prevention, Maternal/Infant Health, Public Health Services and More in 2028-29 State Budget
(Testimony Submitted by Lauren Gambill, MD, for TMA and Other Physician Associations, April 30, 2026)
Health Information Technology (HIT)

TMA Gives Guidance to Lawmakers to Improve Telehealth for Health Care
(TMA Testimony by Thomas J. Kim, MD, to the House Public Health Committee, June 4, 2026)
Health Insurance

TMA Gives Lawmakers Input to Keep Health Coverage More Affordable While Still Valuable for Patients
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, to the House Insurance Committee, June 4, 2026)

TMA Provides Insights, Recommendations to Curb Health Care Costs
(TMA Testimony by Andrew J. “Jimmy” Widmer, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, May 27, 2026)

TMA, Other Societies Share Physician Perspective on What's Driving Health Care Costs (TMA, Other Medical Associations’ Testimony by Andrew J. “Jimmy” Widmer, MD, to the House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability, April 30, 2026)
Public Health

Behavioral Health/Mental Health

Raise Minimum Age to Participate in Prediction Market Platforms, Physicians Urge (Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society Testimony by Lindy McGee, MD, to the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs, Sept. 15, 2026)

Physicians Call for Online Games to Have Protections for Minors Who Play (Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society Testimony by Lauren Gambill, MD, to the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs, Sept. 14, 2026)

Physicians Urge Research, Education on Social Media’s Impact on Youth Health and Well-Being (TMA, Texas Pediatric Society Written Comments to House Committee on Public Health, Aug. 20, 2026)

Preventive Medicine

TMA, Fellow Stakeholders Urge Lawmakers to Support Evidence-Based Preventive Medicine Measures (TMA, Texas Pediatric Society, and Texas Public Health Coalition Testimony to the Texas House Committee on Public Health Interim Committee Hearing, Aug. 20, 2026)

THC

TMA Voices Concerns Over THC Harm on Youths (TMA Testimony by Dominic Lucia, MD, to the Texas Senate Committee on Health & Human Services, July 7, 2026)

TMA, TPS Suggest Improved Labeling, Packaging of THC Products
(TMA and Texas Pediatric Society Testimony by Lindy McGee, MD, to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Jan. 9, 2026)

Women's Health/Maternal Health

Physicians Recommend Expanding Access to Prenatal Supplementation, Testing, and Nutrition Counseling (TMA Testimony to the House Public Health Subcommittee on Maternal Health, Menopause and Access to Evidence-Based Medicine by Deborah Fuller, MD, Sept. 15, 2026)

Physicians Stress Importance of Texas’ Women’s Health Programs, Urge Improvements (TMA Testimony to the House Public Health Subcommittee on Maternal Health, Menopause and Access to Evidence-Based Medicine by Deborah Fuller, MD, Sept. 15, 2026)
Quality

TMA, TPS offer feedack to HHSC regarding Texas Incentives for Physicians and Professional Services (TIPPS) Proposed State Fiscal Year 2028 Quality Metrics and Performance Requirements (Testimony of Michelle Gallas, DO, on behalf of TMA and the Texas Pediatric Society, Aug. 12, 2026)
Workforce/Education

TMA Recommends Training Solutions to Improve Rural Patients’ Access to Physicians’ Care
(TMA Testimony by Adrian Billings, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health, June 4, 2026)
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2026 Legislative Testimonies

TMA Advocacy by Topic

Affordability

Budget

Health Information Technology (HIT)

Health Insurance

Public Health

Quality

Workforce/Education

TMA is helping to strengthen your practice by offering advice and creating a climate of medical success across the state.

What could a TMA membership mean for you, your practice, and your patients?

TMA Advocacy by Topic

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