Stories from Texas Medicine, January 2023

On Guard for the Patient-Physician Relationship: 2023 Legislative Preview - 06/21/2023

A pandemic wind-down, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, a possible recession, a national surprise-billing law. The 2023 Texas legislative session is one shaping up to be defined by a host of federal forces, some of them potentially contentious. Nevertheless, the House of Medicine stands steadfast in its legislative priorities. At the heart of the Texas Medical Association’s agenda for this session: protecting the practice of medicine and the patient-physician relationship, whether from criminalization, interference from insurers and other nonmedical entities, or public health threats.


Legislative Priority #6: Physician Autonomy, Corporate Practice Protections - 03/14/2023

During the 2023 state legislative session, the Texas Medical Association aims to protect physicians from being criminalized for the practice of medicine and to keep nonmedical entities from interfering with patient care.


The Unwinding: What the End of the COVID PHE Means for Continuous Medicaid Coverage - 02/24/2023

After nearly three years and 11 extensions, the federal public health emergency related to COVID-19 is poised to end this spring, and with it, continuous Medicaid coverage for more than 2.5 million Texans.


Legislative Priority #9: Network Adequacy, Surprise Billing - 02/10/2023

The Texas Medical Association wants to see enhanced enforcement of and accountability under state network adequacy laws and to protect Texas' surprising-billing law during the 2023 legislative session.


TMA Moment in Time: First Tuesdays at the Capitol - 02/07/2023

TMA’s signature advocacy event offers invaluable facetime with lawmakers.


The Unwinding: What the End of the PHE Means for COVID Vaccines, Testing, and Treatments - 02/01/2023

The COVID-19 crisis spurred an unprecedented combination of public health initiatives and funding, much of it made possible by the public health emergency (PHE) declared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in January 2020. When the PHE expires, what will happen to crucial vaccines, testing, and treatments?


Legislative Priority #3: Medicaid Payment Increases - 01/09/2023

During the 2023 state legislative session, the Texas Medical Association aims to fight for targeted Medicaid payment increases, especially for maternal care and treating children.


Legislative Priority #7: Prior Authorization Reforms - 01/06/2023

The Texas Medical Association hopes to build on the success of last session's "gold card" law when the state legislature reconvenes in January by advancing prior authorization reform.


Legislative Priority #4: Medicaid Coverage for Women and Children - 01/06/2023

During the 2023 state legislative session, the Texas Medical Association aims to pursue more comprehensive coverage of and secure additional funding and resources for maternal and behavioral/mental health care for women and children.


Legislative Priority #2: Women's Reproductive Health - 01/06/2023

During the 2023 state legislative session, the Texas Medical Association aims to protect women's health by clarifying vague and sometimes inconsistent requirements laid out in Texas abortion laws.


Starting Early: Help Identify Suicide Risk by Screening for ACEs - 01/03/2023

One of the most effective ways physicians can identify people who may be at risk for suicide: screen patients for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) – preventable, potentially traumatic events that occur before age 18 such as neglect, divorce, and witnessing or experiencing violence.