health insurance

State data shows more than 40,000 pregnant Texans waited more than a month for the state to process their Medicaid applications — with more than half waiting more than 60 days. An advocacy group said delays in applications getting processed can combine with issues getting appointments and can lead to delayed prenatal care.

Some of Texas’ largest buyers of health care provided insight into what might be driving higher health care costs. The House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability concluded its two-day public hearing Friday.

A new report from the Commonwealth Fund found Texas has worse racial and ethnic health disparities than other states in the Southwest.

The Baylor Scott & White Health Plan will stop offering Texas Medicaid and individual marketplace health insurance plans this year.

A majority of Texas' uninsured children are Latino, according to new analysis from the nation's largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. The report also found most uninsured children are eligible for public insurance or financial assistance through the federal health insurance marketplace.

Many who enrolled in Affordable Care Act health plans are paying steeper premiums this year. That means cutting back in other areas.

In a letter sent to state officials Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he wants state agencies to investigate the Medicaid program after the Trump administration identified potential fraud in other states. He directed the agencies to implement several additional anti-fraud measures in the program.

About 40% of patients in Texas state hospitals have been admitted for more than a year, according to state data shared Wednesday. Long stays can mean people have to wait longer for mental and behavioral health services.

The Department of Homeland Security wants to eliminate guidelines around what public benefits can be considered in a "public charge" determination. Experts and advocates warn it could lead to a "chilling effect" in migrant communities.

The U.S. Postal Service changed when mail is postmarked as it's being processed – which could cause issues with time-sensitive mail like ballots and taxes. But, advocates worry the change could also lead to a loss of coverage and access to services, especially for people with disabilities.

Ascension Texas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas faced an end-of-year deadline to agree on a contract or risk some patients losing in-network care at Ascension facilities, including many in the Austin area.

Texas’ entire House GOP delegation voted this week for a health care package that lets the tax credits lapse. They will be forced to vote on a three-year extension of the subsidies in January.