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Physicians Ask Lawmakers to Make Social Media Safer for Children, Prevent Data Mining - 01/07/2025

The Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society told a committee of the Texas Legislature about the importance of developing policies that promote healthy technology use for young people and restrict data mining of minors’ information.

TMA’s Top Legislative Priorities: Protect Immunizations to Protect Public Health - 01/06/2025

TMA will work to safeguard immunizations this legislative session.

Advancing Health Equity: Karen Batory’s 35-year TMA Career Shaped Public Health for the Association - 12/31/2024

Karen Batory’s extensive, 35-year career at TMA shaped public health for both the association and the state

Physicians: Carbon Monoxide Exposure Can be Deadly, Cause Permanent Organ Damage - 12/17/2024

More than a million people are still without power in Houston and Southeast Texas after Hurricane Beryl hit the Texas Gulf Coast on Monday, but their temporary solution could harm them. As people without electricity turn to alternate energy resources, physicians are reminding Texans about the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure.

As School is Starting, Are Your Child’s Immunizations Updated? - 12/17/2024

As kids are returning to school, physicians have an important reminder for parents: Make sure your children are up to date on all immunizations.

Hard Hats for Little Heads: Planning Your Event - 12/05/2024

TMA recommends you start planning your Hard Hats for Little Heads event at least a month in advance to ensure time for delivery of helmets and materials.

Multistage, Collaborative Review of State Trauma Rules Yields a Win for Medicine - 12/04/2024

A monthslong, multidisciplinary effort by a consortium of stakeholders in trauma and emergency medical services, including TMA, has borne fruit in trauma care rules that extend physician involvement and prioritize common sense in the trauma facility designation process.

TMA Grants to Help Your Practice Improve Local Vaccination Rates - 11/27/2024

Apply for a grant. Vaccines Defend What Matters (formerly Be Wise – Immunize) is TMA’s integrated, multimedia public health education and advocacy effort to overcome vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates in Texas. 

I Never Knew TMA: Has Local Community Health and Outreach Programs - 11/27/2024

The Texas Medical Association’s community outreach programs offer a rewarding alternative for physicians to connect with their patients in ways that can have a big impact even beyond the office.  

Travel Advisory: Travel Details Can Help Uncover a Diagnosis - 11/18/2024

Physicians can aid in the prevention and spread of travel-related illnesses with thorough questioning on trip history.

Unlocking TxEVER: Experts Weigh in on Best Practices for Texas’ Death Records Registry - 11/14/2024

Experts weigh in on best practices to navigate Texas’ death records registry.

Respiratory Illness Rates Likely Stable for 2024-25, Vaccines Could Lower Peak - 10/25/2024

This year’s respiratory illness season is likely to bring a similar or lower number of combined peak hospitalizations due to COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus compared with last season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention telegraphed in its 2024-25 Respiratory Disease Season Outlook.

TMA Spotlights ACS Study to Improve Cancer Data for Black Women - 10/25/2024

Serving its goal of increasing access to cancer care, the Texas Medical Association’s Committee on Cancer is amplifying recruitment efforts for a new study, calling on Texas physicians to generate awareness to boost study enrollment and promote health equity. Read more.

Medicine, Feds Still Urge Conservation Amid IV Fluid Shortage - 10/22/2024

Without a clear resolution on the horizon, the Texas Medical Association and American Medical Association continue to urge conservation in response to a nationwide shortage of IV fluids stemming from Hurricane Helene-related damage to the country’s main manufacturing site. Medicine is communicating with state and federal authorities as they monitor the situation.

Twice-Revised State Trauma Rules Represent Progress; Safety, Access Concerns Remain - 10/17/2024

In the second attempt at revamping Texas’ emergency medical services (EMS) and trauma care rules for the first time in nearly two decades, the Texas Medical Association praised health officials for their collaborative and transparent approach, but still harbors concerns about revisions that could reduce access to trauma care and physicians’ role in providing it.

Hurricane Helene Disrupts IV Fluid Supply Chain - 10/09/2024

The Texas Medical Association has heard from Texas physicians and the North Carolina Medical Society that hospitals and practices are facing shortages of IV fluids following Hurricane Helene’s damage to Baxter International’s North Cove manufacturing site in Marion, N.C.

Tip of the Hat: Hard Hats Founder Made Helmet-Wearing Kids a Common Sight - 09/30/2024

As the father of the Texas Medical Association’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program, Houston pain specialist Larry Driver, MD, has a legacy of safety in the state.

'They Came in Droves': Former TMA President Douglas Curran, MD, Starts an FQHC - 09/27/2024

Former TMA President Doug Curran, MD, fulfilled a long-time dream of expanding care by cofounding the East Texas Community Clinic, a federally qualified health center.

On Call for Little Heads: 30 Years of Hard Hats - 09/27/2024

Participants reflect on three decades of TMA’s longest-running outreach program.

El Paso Physician Named TMA Health Hero - 09/19/2024

Joseph H. Segapeli, MD, an El Paso pediatrician, was named a Health Hero Saturday by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) for his commitment to improving the health of his community. Dr. Segapeli was honored with the third annual award last week during TexMed, TMA’s annual conference, in Dallas.

Talk to Patients About: Varicella - 09/19/2024

The varicella-zoster virus  does double-duty: It can cause chickenpox when you’re young and reactivate later in life as a painful, blistery rash called shingles. Well, there’s a vaccine for each disease.

Talk to Patients About: Rubella - 09/19/2024

The virus that causes rubella often appears deceptively mild — so mild in fact that one-quarter to half of people infected with it will have no symptoms at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccination is the best protection.

CMS Ups Seasonal Flu Vaccine Payment - 09/09/2024

On Aug. 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services increased payments to physicians for influenza vaccines and updated which codes physicians should use when billing for the service during the 2024-25 flu season.

New TMA Podcast Spotlights Timely Health Care Issues - 09/02/2024

The Texas Medical Association Council on Health Promotion has launched a podcast series to inform and educate the public on some of TMA’s public health priorities, as well as community outreach programs the council oversees.

Class Care: School-Based Health Centers Deliver Care to At-Risk Youth - 08/27/2024

School-based health centers in Texas deliver physical and behavioral care to at-risk youth.