Magazine story

Seeking Balance: TMA Opposes Feds' Implementation of the No Surprises Act - 04/09/2024

The Texas Medical Association supported the patient protections in the federal No Surprises Act but also knew from the beginning that the law's payment arbitration provisions were flawed and could give insurers an advantage.

Shielding the Gold Card Law: TMA Fights to Guarantee Gold Card is Implemented as Intended - 04/09/2024

Texans earned one of its most prolific victories with its prior auth exemption law but still fights to guarantee it's implemented as intended.

TMA Moment In Time: Pandemic Response - 04/09/2024

The strength of organized medicine carried TMA and Texas physicians through an unprecedented public health crisis and beyond.

TMA Moment in Time: Hurricane Harvey Response - 04/09/2024

In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey dumped a record 60 inches of rain in four days on the Gulf Coast region. The Texas Medical Association quickly put together a response that helped physicians in need and saved lives among those affected by the storm.

TMA Moment in Time: SGR Repeal - 04/09/2024

The historic victory has roots in TMA advocacy and may provide a playbook for future Medicare reform.

The Knowledge Center Turns 20: Answering Physicians' Questions and Stewarding Medical History - 04/09/2024

The Texas Medical Association Knowledge Center helps physicians navigate daily challenges, and stewards an archive of Texas medical history.

TMA Moment in Time: First Tuesdays at the Capitol - 04/09/2024

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

RICO Settlements: TMA's Leadership Against Payer Abuses Resulted in Relief, Reform - 04/09/2024

Back in 2001, the Texas Medical Association and the other plaintiffs alleged the nation’s major health plans had conspired to delay and reduce payments to clinicians and hospitals; the resulting lawsuits, brought under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), represented a watershed moment in TMA history.

TMA Moment in Time: AMA Presidents - 04/09/2024

Texas' git-er-done approach has launched TMA physicians to the AMA presidency.

The Trust Model: For Decades, TMA's Insurance Trusts Have Put Physicians First - 04/09/2024

For decades, TMA’s private insurance and medical liability insurance trusts have put physicians first.

TMA Moment in Time: Texas' First PPO Rules - 04/09/2024

TMA fought to ensure fair regulation of PPOs, which now dominate the health plan market.

Mental Relief: Physicians Welcome State Behavioral Health Funding - 04/04/2024

Heeding advocacy by the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Legislature allocated during the 2023 regular session $9.4 billion for behavioral health services in the 2024-25 state budget; Texas physicians welcome this 32% year-over-year increase but say more is needed.

Medicare Advantage – and Disadvantage: Program Enrollment Grows Amid Physician Concerns - 04/03/2024

Despite its growing popularity among Medicare patients, Medicare Advantage is divisive among physicians.

Texas Medicine Magazine - 04/01/2024

Texas Medicine Magazine

Texas Medicine Back Issues - 04/01/2024

Back Issues

All One Family: Alliance Presidents Share Passion for the Family of Medicine - 04/01/2024

TMA Alliance presidents share their passion for building and bonding the Family of Medicine

An Unfailing Voice for Medicine: TMA Honors Kenneth Mattox, MD - 04/01/2024

TMA honors Houston trauma surgeon Kenneth Mattox, MD, for his dedication to public health.

Data-Driven Interventions: TMA Zeroes in on Quality Opioid Care - 04/01/2024

TMA zeroes in on physicians’ obstacles to quality opioid care.

Speaking Their Language: TMA Experts Fight for Physicians’ Best Interests - 04/01/2024

Texas Medical Association experts communicate with payers on behalf of physicians’ best interests.

Still Beating: Rick Snyder, MD, “Won't Stop Knocking on Legislators' Doors” - 04/01/2024

Despite the end of his term, outgoing TMA President Rick Snyder, MD, “won't stop knocking on legislators' doors anytime soon.”

Cultivating Healthy Communities: TMA's Strategic Plan Prioritizes Wellness for Patients and Physicians - 04/01/2024

The second goal in the Texas Medical Association's five-pronged strategic plan is to build health communities through physician relations so patients and physicians can achieve peak wellness.

Lifelong Leadership: TMA Debuts Development Program for Physicians at Every Career Stage - 04/01/2024

The Texas Medical Association's new Lifelong Leadership Program is a self-paced, 18-month program free to any TMA member physician; along with the Leadership College and the Leadership Summit, the program responds to members' requests for more career development opportunities.

Straight Shooter: Incoming TMA President Ray Callas, MD, Aims for Practice Protections, Membership Gains - 04/01/2024

Incoming Texas Medical Association President Ray Callas, MD, an anesthesiologist from Beaumont, cites as his top priorities preventing scope-of-practice creep, defending physician autonomy, and bolstering the TMA's membership.

Closing the Loop: Payers Address Social Drivers of Health - 03/15/2024

Houston family physician Lindsay Botsford, MD, received a call in late February from a Medicare patient with shingles. She prescribed an antiviral medication to treat the infection – and then the real work began.

Power Data: Texas' Claims Database Will Help Clarify Care Costs - 03/15/2024

Texas is building an all-payer claims database, which will provide a clearer view of opaque health care costs.