Health care workforce

The agency that oversees behavioral health and social work providers has about 1,000 “pending” complaints against providers — hundreds more than it has received in previous years. Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council leadership told lawmakers it may need support from the state to handle the volume.

Health care costs are increasing faster than the rate of inflation. A Texas House committee is holding a two-day hearing this week to learn more about what drives lack of affordable healthcare before working on policy recommendations later this year.

Parkland Memorial Hospital has one of the busiest emergency rooms in the country. Dallas County's safety net hospital will add more than 100 beds to address the growing demand — half of them will be added before 2026 World Cup events kick off in North Texas.

The U.S. Department of Education proposed a rule that could limit how much students can borrow for different degree programs. A KERA listener wants to know how that could affect health disparities in Texas.

Parkland Health was one of just two Texas-based organizations chosen for a “prestigious” national program designed to address provider burnout and workforce well-being concerns. The National Academy of Medicine selected Dallas County’s safety net hospital to join the Change Maker Accelerators program.

People over the age of 65 are the fastest growing age group in the state — which could mean a greater need for services like hospice and palliative care. A new partnership between two nonprofits could expand services in North Texas.

Last month, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a freeze on H-1B visas for public universities and state agencies — just a few months after the Trump administration increased the application fee from $5,000 to $100,000. Texas health care leaders warn changes could have a negative impact on the state's health care workforce.

Dr. John Burruss, CEO of Dallas County's largest behavioral health provider, is set to retire at the end of April after over a decade with the organization. He spoke with KERA's Abigail Ruhman about his time with one of the busiest community mental health centers in Texas and the future of mental health care.

The Texas Legislature at least partially implemented less than a third of recommendations from the state’s 2024 Children’s Behavioral Health Strategic Plan, according to a recent report. Many of the recommendations focus on increasing access to services that keep children in their homes or communities instead of institutional settings.

Texas proposed increases to Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain ambulance services. During a public rate hearing, providers said the higher rates could help maintain access to critical services, especially in rural areas.

Among other things, the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee is tasked with developing new dietary and nutrition guidelines and new educational requirements. The committee has less than a year to produce a report that could effect all levels of education — including Texas medical schools.

There's a nationwide shortage of nurses who can provide sexual assault care. A recent UT Arlington study found rural nurses encounter unique challenges when trying to access training to fill that gap.