Houston Matters

How Further Reimbursement Cuts for Therapy Services Might Affect Patients

Posted on · New regulations concerning reimbursement rates for services like speech therapy take effect July 1. And some critics contend the cuts could push many providers out of business. Vicki Gilani, a speech-language pathologist in Houston, tells us what this might mean for her and her patients. During the 2015 legislative session, the budget committee voted to […]

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Planned Parenthood Cut from Medicaid, and The Good, Bad and Ugly of 2016: Wednesday’s Show (December 21, 2016)

Posted on · The Texas Health and Human Services Commission delivered a final legal notice to defund Planned Parenthood from the Medicaid program. In a provision under the state and federal law pertaining to Medicaid providers, the Office of the Inspector General wrote that the group is “not qualified to provide medical services in a professionally competent, safe, […]

Houston Matters

Hospitals Could Lose Billions When Medicaid Waiver Expires

Posted on · A study conducted by Health Management Associates for the state’s Health and Human Services Commission finds when a Medicaid waiver expires at the end of next year, Texas health care providers will be on the hook for billions in health care costs. We discuss the impact on health care providers and both insured and uninsured […]

Houston Matters

New Rules Regarding Fetal Remains — Are They About Dignity or Discouraging Women from Getting Abortions?

Posted on · New rules proposed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state's Health and Human Services Commission would change the way fetal tissue is disposed of after medical procedures like abortions, requiring burials or cremation instead of long-standing procedures allowing disposal in sanitary landfills. But it would also apply to miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies terminated in […]

Houston Matters

Does the Texas Women’s Health Program Make Up for Medicaid Cuts?

Posted on · Last month (July 1, 2016), Texas launched a new program touted to help more women obtain free or low-cost healthcare. It’s the latest in a series of moves since the state cut off funding for organizations (like Planned Parenthood) linked to abortion providers five years ago. More than 80 clinics closed — a third of […]

Houston Matters

Health and Human Services Commissioner Stepping Down Amid Controversy

Posted on · Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek recently announced his resignation. He'll step down July 1. His deputy, Chris Taylor, will replace him. Janek's departure comes as the agency faces a number of issues, including a controversy surrounding a no-bid contract with an Austin-based technology company to detect Medicaid fraud. We discuss the challenges […]

Houston Matters

Ted Cruz and the No Bid Contracts

Posted on · Houston Senator Ted Cruz officially announced he will be running for president in 2016 via his twitter account after midnight on Monday, March 23rd. That makes him the first of the potential candidates to do so. He reaffirmed his intent at a press conference at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia on Monday morning. We’ll discuss […]