Doctors Converge in Austin for More H1N1 Information
from KEYE-TV Austin, May 1, 2009
Doctors from across the state met in Austin on Friday to get more information on the H1N1 outbreak and how they can better protect their patients. It's part of the Texas Medical Association's 2009 conference, planned well before the flu outbreak. But the TMA quickly organized an H1N1 session, with doctors across the state reporting an influx of patients complaining of flu symptoms. More

Insurers Allegedly Use 'Secret Data' to Underpay
from KTVT CBS 11 News Dallas, May 4, 2009
The Texas Medical Association (TMA) is joining a legal fight against insurance companies. The TMA says it wants to expose what it sees as insurance companies manipulating data to deflate prices and inflate medical bills for consumers. The Texas Medical Association states Aetna and Cigna use "secret data" to "scam physicians and patients by short changing reimbursements." The data is kept by Ingenix, a company owned by another insurance company. More

Consumers May Get Health Insurance Information Via Nutrition Labels If Bill Passes
from The Beaumont Enterprise, April 29, 2009
Two identical bills in the House and in the Senate, if passed, would require health insurance providers to provide consumers information about different health insurance plans in an easy-to-read format. A prototype from the Texas Medical Association shows that the label would look similar to a nutrition label that appears on most food products. The label includes information like monthly premium, annual out-of pocket expenses and annual deductible. More

Dewhurst: State Medicaid Budget Will Need Another $1 Billion
from The Dallas Morning News, May 6, 2009
The recession is driving more Texans onto the Medicaid rolls, opening a sizable new hole in the state budget, Senate leaders said. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said new enrollment and cost growth estimates for the state-federal health insurance program for the poor, elderly and disabled will require $1 billion more in state funds over the next two years. More

Letter: Fund State Cancer Institute
from The Dallas Morning News, May 1, 2009
The issues of cancer and the economy are converging in the Texas Legislature as our legislators vote on funding for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. While we're all mindful about public spending, we must remember cancer research, prevention and screening programs cost money in the short term, but the lack of such programs costs much more in the long term. More

Editorial: Texas Must Tackle Issue of Uninsured Children
from The Austin American-Statesman, May 5, 2009
Quick quiz. In what category does Texas lead all other states? If college football comes to mind, then guess again. The correct answer is the percentage of uninsured children. Texas is No. 1 in the nation with 1.5 million children - 22 percent of all kids - who lack health insurance. More

'Trust Me, I'm a Senator'
from The Austin Chronicle, May 1, 2009
Texas Sens. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) and Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) made moves Thursday to have their colleagues approve two measures that would allow state government new and greater access to medical decisions made between a woman and her doctor. Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin) noted that the measure was not drafted with the input of any medical professionals – including from the Texas Medical Association, which opposes the measure. More

Opinion: Old Texas Law is Deterrent to Quality Rural Health Care
from The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, April 30, 2009
It comes as a surprise to most Texans when they learn state law prohibits hospitals from "employing" physicians. A growing problem for many rural communities recruiting physicians is more physicians are asking to be an employee of the local hospital with a steady paycheck, health insurance and retirement. They are no longer interested in establishing their own medical practice in a small town and taking on the financial risk that goes with it. It is also not practical to set up a 501A physician practice group with a small number of doctors. More

Hysteria No Part of Swine Flu Remedy
from The Galveston County Daily News, May 1, 2009
It’s a remarkable thing when the president of the United States urges people to wash their hands. But President Obama did that this week. The larger message behind his advice: Swine flu is a serious threat to public health. But hysteria doesn’t help. If you want to know what the doctor ordered, it’s simple. Wash your hands. More

Texas Health Care Officials Back Bill to Address Doctor Shortage
from The San Antonio Business Journal, May 1, 2009
Texas health care officials say the state faces a severe shortage of primary care providers. A new bill that has gained momentum in the Texas Legislature would use revenues from an increased tax imposed on smokeless tobacco products to address that shortage. More