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‘Moderate’ Flu Season Should Not Be Interpreted as Baseline Normal - 03/03/2026

Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows that influenza hospitalizations were up in all age demographics in January. The state’s online dashboard tracker offers timely flu, RSV, and COVID-19 data to help physicians make informed clinical decisions.

Physicians Now Required to Provide Medicaid Enrollment Info to New Mothers - 01/28/2026

House Bill 3940 was one in a series of bills addressing Medicaid concerns and gives health care professionals tools to inform parents about covering their newborn children. The law also requires a key state agency to share that information with health care facilities.

Mixed Bag: Federal Changes May Narrow Certain Medicaid Eligibility Provisions, Boost Others - 01/12/2026

Changes on the horizon include a shortened timetable for giving new Medicaid applicants retroactive coverage, more frequent eligibility checks, and an expansion of the populations eligible for home and community-based services. Texas will also need to reconcile an issue concerning CHIP waiting periods and benefit caps.

Vaccine Uptake Improves Amid Measles Momentum - 12/30/2025

With measles spreading to another corner of the state and showing little sign of slowing, adjusted vaccine recommendations apply to residents of and visitors to 10 affected counties. TMA Foundation grants are available to support vaccine clinics.

Medicaid Revalidation Extended Again - 12/17/2025

Physicians who were disenrolled and have already submitted Medicaid revalidation applications now have until Jan. 31, 2026, to complete the process. Those with revalidation applications due by the end of May 2026 also received additional time to complete the process.

New Medicaid Managed Care Laws Lauded as Wins for Texas Patients - 11/10/2025

Medicaid captured the Texas Legislature’s attention during the 2025 session, with lawmakers passing a quartet of bills focused on improving managed care statewide, including nutrition and newborn support, physician enrollment, and credentialing.

Medicaid Mindfulness: New Texas Law Raises Certain Violations to Same Level as Intentional Fraud - 11/07/2025

Senate Bill 1038 provides a key state agency with a new array of penalties, signaling the state’s focus on safeguarding Medicaid spending. In the process, however, it has elevated potential penalties for unknowingly violating Medicaid program rules to the same level as those for intentional fraud. 

HHSC Extends Medicaid Revalidation Another Six Months - 10/21/2025

The state is providing physicians with additional time to take a key step in caring for Medicaid patients. It’s also providing a reentry pathway for physicians disenrolled last year.

TMA Analyzes Federal Changes for Texas Physicians - 09/08/2025

While many provisions in Congress’ budget bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), won’t take effect until 2027, TMA is already analyzing what the new law means for Texas physicians with one major theme emerging so far: By not adopting Medicaid expansion, Texas won’t be impacted the same way many other states will.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Texas Medicaid Enrollment, Eligibility Systems Get Modernization Funding - 09/08/2025

The Texas legislature preserved Medicaid allotments that TMA advocated for in the 2023 session, while providing funding to support two important online systems.

‘There’s Never a Good Time to Let Your Guard Down’: Measles Outbreak Ends, But Risks Remain - 08/28/2025

The West Texas measles outbreak has ended, officially. Nearly 100 people were hospitalized, and two fatalities occurred in school-aged children; the state spent between $8 million and $9 million to mount its response.

Combating Measles Resource Center - 08/12/2025

Get caught up on measles-related news from state and federal agencies, as well as TMA's actions and resources, with this webpage. Find information from DSHS, patient-facing materials, and links to clinical insights.

“Administrative Churn” Could Cost Texas Medicaid Patients Their Coverage When PHE Ends - 08/08/2025

Nearly half of the 15 million Medicaid patients across the U.S. at risk of losing coverage when the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends may fall prey to “administrative churning.” That is, they could lose coverage despite remaining eligible because of difficulties navigating the renewal process, address changes, and other administrative challenges.

Address Delayed Care Pileup, TMA Tells House Panel - 08/08/2025

The COVID-19 pandemic strained an already overburdened primary health care system in Texas, making it vital that state lawmakers back measures that encourage patients to see a physician and catch up on delayed care before it gets even worse, Tyler pediatrician Valerie Smith, MD, told the Texas House of Representatives Select Committee on Health Care Reform.

New Tool Assists with Medicaid Enrollment Challenges - 08/06/2025

Medicaid enrollment may now be easier for Texas physicians to navigate, thanks to an online tool that answers questions on the spot and lets users schedule troubleshooting appointments. TMA will monitor its performance and is seeking input from physicians who test it out.

Texas Physicians Reflect on Two Years of Battling COVID-19 - 08/04/2025

Two years ago this week, normal life in Texas stopped. Uncertainty, fear, and anxiety loomed as the new coronavirus, SARS CoV-2, arrived in Texas. Looking back, physicians reflect on the ongoing impact of March 13, 2020, when Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19, the disease the virus causes.

Measles Threat in West Texas Wanes, But Endemic Risk Persists - 07/30/2025

As the state’s numbers stabilize, public health authorities reiterate the importance of communication and information sharing amid an outbreak. TMA members can support immunization activities in their communities with a Vaccines Defend What Matters grant.

U.S., Texas Child Flu Deaths Increase Amid a Grim Season - 06/04/2025

Texas has recorded 15 pediatric flu deaths so far for the 2024-2025 flu season. That number is significantly higher than last year, when no child deaths associated with flu occurred in the state. Physicians continue to advocate immunization as the best defense.

Texas Medicaid Delays Online Enrolling and Credentialing Integration - 05/22/2025

In April, the Texas Medicaid & Health Partnership had announced physicians could enroll and get credentialed in a one-stop, two-step process. The pause means the status quo remains for now.

Whooping Cough Spikes in Texas Among Measles Outbreak - 04/30/2025

The Texas Department of State Health Services so far has reported 1,060 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, outpacing the rate seen in 2024. Tdap and DTaP immunizations are crucial, including for pregnant mothers.

Medicaid Funding Streams Crucial in State, Federal Advocacy Discussions - 04/17/2025

In the chance the federal government moves forward with proposed cuts that could negatively impact Medicaid, TMA is here to help Texas physicians understand and navigate Medicaid’s funding complexities. Read more.

TMA’s Top Legislative Priorities: Enhance Medicaid Payments and Coverage - 04/17/2025

TMA will work to enhance Medicaid payments and coverage this legislative session

TMA Signs Letter Calling for Congress to Protect Medicaid Funding - 04/17/2025

As the U.S. House of Representatives considers $880 billion in cuts from the committee overseeing Medicaid, TMA and all 50 state medical societies detailed the impacts such a cut would make to patient care and practice viability.

Earn CME and Hear Practical Measles Guidance as Outbreak Expands - 03/21/2025

As the West Texas outbreak shows little sign of slowing, TMA and DSHS present an update and strategies for combating measles in a CME-qualifying webinar.

DSHS Urges Measles Monitoring as More Cases Confirmed - 02/03/2025

DSHS has confirmed measles cases in Gaines and Lubbock counties as well as in Houston. Officials urge physicians to report any suspected cases immediately for investigation.