News

Local Alliances Contribute More Than $250,000 in Annual Support to Future Physicians and Nurses - 06/18/2025

A scholarship once funded by a book fair in Tyler and another for Dallas County nursing students are among the longest-running local alliance programs supporting health care in Texas since the 1950s. The TMA Foundation is helping to add even more impact.

TMA Grants Build Community Connections for Underserved Patients - 06/18/2025

Physicians have until Feb. 7 to apply for the first of three rounds of $3,500 Vaccines Defend What Matters local impact grants funded by the TMA Foundation. Grantees can use the funds to vaccinate underserved and uninsured populations and toward outreach initiatives that address vaccine hesitancy.  

TMA Vigilant of New Medicare Advantage Audits - 06/17/2025

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun what the agency itself calls an “aggressive” new strategy to audit all Medicare Advantage plans annually to review whether insurers and their networks are inflating patients’ illnesses, leading to overpayments – and the additional compliance burdens and possible repayments could fall on physicians.  

MAD Drive Bolsters Hard Hats for Little Heads - 06/17/2025

A well-fitted helmet can save a child’s life, and thanks to passionate donors at the 2025 Texas Medical Association Foundation Gala, more than $50,000 will provide such gear to kids through Hard Hats for Little Heads, a signature outreach program.

TMA Invests in Medicine’s Future with 2025 Excellence in Science Teaching Awards - 06/17/2025

Curiosity, scientific thought process, and love of learning – all are characteristics instilled in future physicians as early as kindergarten by the five recipients of 2025’s Ernest and Sarah Butler Awards for Excellence in Science Teaching.

LSC Bestows Scholarships to Five Future Physicians Dedicated to the Medically Underserved - 06/17/2025

The Lone Star Caucus, comprised of smaller, nonmetro county medical societies, awards scholarships annually. Meet this year’s winners, recognized for their outstanding achievements and leadership skills. Read more.

HHSC Extends Medicaid Revalidation Another Six Months - 06/12/2025

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.

Schedule II Stimulant Medications Are Subject to the Same Prescribing Limitation as Opioids - 06/11/2025

Spotty awareness of a DEA rule’s applicability to all Schedule II controlled substances – not just opioids – could leave some physicians who prescribe Schedule II controlled substances, which includes some common stimulants, in legal peril if they run askance of it, according to member reports to TMA.

AI Experts Added to Committee on Health Information Technology - 06/11/2025

Recognizing the potential of augmented and artificial intelligence to greatly impact patient care and physician interests, the Texas Medical Association has announced the addition of 10 expert consultants to its Committee on Health Information Technology.

Survey: Small, Private Practices Now Less Common - 06/10/2025

Physician practices are increasingly tied to hospitals and private equity entities, and they’re also getting larger. Those are among the key findings of the latest nationwide study conducted by the American Medical Association.

Where Are They Now? 15 Years of Leadership College: Lenore DePagter, DO - 06/05/2025

The time Lenore DePagter, DO, spent in the TMA Leadership College set her on a path in organized medicine and launched her career in health care administration. Learn how to apply before the June 13 deadline.

New CME Helps Physicians Detect a High-Risk Pregnancy Complication that Masquerades as Mundane - 06/03/2025

Unchecked, outcomes can be dire. Physicians can access CME to help identify hyperemesis gravidarum and defuse the risk it poses to patients and their pregnancies.

Maternal Health, THC Study Prioritized by TMA House - 06/03/2025

Topping the list of recommendations from the TMA House on women’s health: increasing oversight of crisis pregnancy centers and education around maternal health equity.

Physicians Work More, Take Less Vacation, Multiple Burnout Studies Find - 06/02/2025

“The inability of most physicians to completely disengage from patient care while on vacation should be considered a system failure – one with consequences for both the patient and the physician,” one study said.

TMA Celebrates History of Medicine with Sam Houston State University Gallery - 06/02/2025

TMA has long supported the preservation of and education about medicine’s past, maintaining an archive of historical artifacts for over 100 years. Now, some of those artifacts will teach future physicians, with support from the association’s History of Medicine Committee.

Preview Your Medicare Clinician Profile Through June 25 - 05/29/2025

Physicians participating in the Quality Payment Program will see their 2023 performance scores showcased on two publicly accessible websites. One of those will also feature star ratings in up to 17 categories including preventive health and patient safety.

Texas Exceeds Latest Recommendations to Quell Syphilis - 05/29/2025

Texas’ mandated screenings for syphilis during pregnancy align with and surpass recently reaffirmed guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The state’s numbers continue to climb, but at a lower rate. Physicians can earn CME or attend in-person or virtual meetings coordinated by the state to keep apprised.

Where Are They Now? 15 Years of Leadership College: Rick Ngo, MD - 05/28/2025

Houston surgeon Rick Ngo, MD, took from TMA’s Leadership College the tools to be a health care champion. He encourages young physician members to seek admission to the program to “enhance their understanding” of advocacy. Applications are now open.

Member Expertise Drives TMA Councils, Committees in Policy Work - 05/28/2025

Members of TMA’s councils and committees are selected based on a comprehensive set of criteria, such as regional representation, subject area expertise, and county medical society involvement.

Where Are They Now? 15 Years of Leadership College: Erica Hughes, MD - 05/27/2025

Building confidence to encourage other physicians to be leaders is just one of the main takeaways Erica Hughes, MD, gleaned from TMA’s leadership development initiative. Applications are now open until June 13.

CMS Suspends Eight MIPS Improvement Activities, Announces 2025 Exception Applications Process - 05/23/2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services leaves 96 of the 104 traditional improvement activities available to physicians using the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System. It also indicated that physicians who have completed or are in the midst of completing any of the eight suspended activities can still use them this year.

TMA’s First 2025 Legislative Victory Protects Sensitive Test Results - 05/23/2025

Gov. Greg Abbott signed TMA’s first victory of the 2025 legislative session to allow physicians a way to communicate to their patients receive serious or sensitive test results in a supportive manner rather than via electronic patient portals. Texas physicians will still need to comply with information blocking provisions after the three-day pause.

Combating Measles Resource Center - 05/22/2025

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.

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.

Keep Kids Safe This National Bike Month with Hard Hats for Little Heads - 05/22/2025

As young cyclists observe National Bike Month this May, prevent serious injuries by giving the gift of safety: a well-fitted helmet. TMA will match your helmet purchases, contributing to the hundreds of thousands of helmets distributed since 1994.