News

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.

SAFER Guides Help Safeguard Practice Operations During EHR Downtime - 08/12/2025

In case of natural disasters, cyberattacks, and more, the guides include checklists, action-based worksheets, and recommendations to help physicians reduce patient risks related to electronic health records.

CPRIT Awards $49 Million to Texas Cancer Researchers - 08/12/2025

The $49 million recently granted by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas shows how the agency makes Texas a leader in cancer research, says Temple internal medicine specialist Mammen Sam, MD, chair of the Texas Medical Association’s Committee on Cancer.

New TMA Policy Sparked by Physician’s Commitment to Sleep Health - 08/12/2025

TMA’s obstructive sleep apnea policy, adopted at TexMed 2025 and rooted in a physician’s desire to bolster maternal health, extends the reach of its author’s recommendation for universal screening. A sleep questionnaire can help physicians align their practice with the policy.

TMA Backs Network Adequacy Bill and Other Insurance Reforms - 08/08/2025

With just a week until the bill-filing deadline, the Texas Medical Association is backing state legislation that furthers patients’ access to care by requiring adequate networks and bolstering prior authorization reforms, among other protections.

Omicron Variant Underscores Importance of Proven Tools to Fight COVID - 08/08/2025

The recently discovered omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus has sparked fears about increased infectivity and transmissibility heading into the holiday season. But Texas Medical Association experts and public health officials say physicians and patients can lean into proven prevention strategies – including vaccination, masking, social distancing, improved ventilation, testing, and handwashing – as scientists continue to study the new threat.

“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.

National Suicide Hotline Changes to Simpler “988” Format - 08/08/2025

People coping with suicidal thoughts can now call 988, the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Carla Ortique, MD, Elected TMA Foundation President - 08/08/2025

Houston obstetrician-gynecologist Carla Ortique, MD, says one of her top goals as the new president of the Texas Medical Association Foundation’s (TMAF) Board of Trustees is getting the word out about how the foundation helps physicians and improves health care.

Congress Mitigates 2024 Medicare Physician Pay Cut - 08/08/2025

Congress recently passed legislation halving the 3.4% Medicare physician pay cut that took effect on Jan. 1, 2024, following a months-long, high-pressure advocacy campaign by the Texas Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and others in organized medicine. But TMA and its allies continue to push for additional reform given that any cut threatens physicians’ practice viability and vulnerable patients’ access to care.

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.

Texas Leads National Charge for Medicare Physician Payment Reform - 08/08/2025

The Texas Delegation to the American Medical Association led the charge for more concrete action to achieve comprehensive Medicare physician payment reform , resulting in new AMA policy calling for less “talk” and more “action” to ensure access to care for patients.

UPDATE: TMB Continues to Clarify New Fingerprinting Requirement Ahead of License Renewals - 08/07/2025

As the first round of this year’s physician licensure renewals get under way, a new fingerprinting requirement affecting certain renewals has sparked confusion and concern among Texas physicians.

Texas Organization Leads Medicare Quality Improvement Program - 08/07/2025

Chronic disease management, behavioral health, and patient safety are among the priorities of a renewed Medicare program led by TMF Health Quality Institute. Prospective participants chosen can receive access to consulting services and resources.

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.

How to Improve Patient Debt Collection Practices - 08/06/2025

TMA staff remind physicians that securing insurance information from patients before seeing them is a crucial first step in obtaining payment. They also offer advice on involving office staff and accountants in the process.

Ten Specialties Show Lower Intent-to-Quit Rates - 08/06/2025

With nearly one-third of physicians reporting an intention to leave their current organization in the next two years, an American Medical Association survey shows the 10 specialties with the lowest percentages, likely due to progress on burnout rates.

Alison Days, MD: “We Can’t Go Back” to COVID’s Worst Days - 08/05/2025

Even as much of the crippling fear from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic has faded, its impact persists on El Paso pediatrician Alison Days, MD, her city, her county, and her day-to-day. After the pandemic kicked into gear during early 2020, Dr. Days and her staff at Healthy Days Pediatrics started eating lunch apart from each other. With the virus now less of a terrifying mystery, her staff have gone back to keeping each other company at lunchtime. She still hasn’t.

Lege Poised to Boost GME Funding; TMA Urges Rural Workforce Investment - 08/05/2025

With a record-high budget at its disposal, the Texas Legislature seems poised to increase funding for graduate medical education in the 2024-25 biennium, fulfilling one of the Texas Medical Association’s legislative priorities. But physicians say more must be done to address the state’s physician workforce shortage, especially in primary care and in rural and underserved areas.

“Fight the Good Fight”: Fleeger Awarded TMA’s Highest Honor - 08/05/2025

For his confident leadership during difficult times, and his longtime advocacy for medicine at both the state and national levels, the Texas Medical Association bestowed its highest honor upon Austin colon and rectal surgeon David C. Fleeger, MD.

CMS Debuts MIPS Final Score Preview Tool - 08/04/2025

Clinicians who are eligible to participate in Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System now can sneak a peek at – and confirm the accuracy of – their final scores for the 2021 performance period.

CMS Reweights MIPS Cost Category to Zero Due to the Pandemic - 08/04/2025

As a result of the ongoing public health emergency, physicians will find some much-needed, if temporary, relief from burdensome reporting requirements under Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.

FDA Proposes Transition Plan for Medical Devices Granted COVID Emergency Approval - 08/04/2025

The COVID-19 public health emergency is expected to be extended a ninth time, through at least mid-July. But its eventual end raises questions about the medical devices and therapies used to diagnose and treat COVID that were issued emergency use authorizations on the basis of the federal emergency declaration.

CMS Reopens Medicare Clinician Profile Review Period for Physicians - 08/04/2025

Physicians now get a second chance to review 2023 Quality Payment Program performance scores and other information made public on Medicare websites. The newly opened review period extends to Aug. 21

Inaugural Award: TMASFF Cowles Young Physician Scholarship Endowment Supports Future Medical Leaders - 08/04/2025

The endowment promotes TMA leadership training opportunities for young physicians in Harris County. Learning about its namesake doctor “made me even more driven to continue to become a leader in medicine and to continue my journey with TMA,” one recipient said.