Texas Insight’s Reports
- Texas Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue: This is the first posting in a series on gun violence in Texas and how it might be addressed as a public health issue. This posting will provide an overview of gun violence in Texas and subsequent postings will focus on what solutions the public health model might provide.
- HHSC: Texas Brain Injury Advisory Council: The Council met to receive updates on subcommittees and to receive information on stroke and stroke prevention. Texas Brain Injury Advisory Council address strategic planning, policy, rules, and services related to the prevention of brain injury, rehabilitation and the provision of long-term services and supports for persons who have survived brain injuries to improve their quality of life and ability to function independently in the home and community.
- Texas Autism Council: The Texas Autism Council met Tuesday, January 23, for their quarterly meeting. The council advises and makes recommendations to state agencies and the state Legislature to ensure that the needs of persons of all ages with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders and their families are addressed and that all available resources are coordinated to meet those needs.
Federal Healthcare Reports
- Medical Product Innovation and Regulation: Benefits vs. Risks
Prior to marketing in the United States, medical products are reviewed for safety and effectiveness by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Medical products regulated by FDA include prescription drugs, medical devices, and biologics. During the premarket review process, FDA balances the benefits that patients may receive from using the product against the harms or risks that some patients may experience. - Federal Financing for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
This report provides an overview of CHIP financing, beginning with an explanation of the federal matching rate. It describes various aspects of federal CHIP funding, such as the federal appropriation, state allotments, the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund, redistribution funds, and outreach and enrollment grants. The report ends with a section about the future of CHIP funding, including the options for extending CHIP funding and what could happen if federal funding expires.
Texas Healthcare News
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott rallies anti-abortion advocates at the Texas Capitol:Anti-abortion advocates rallied at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, waving flags and cheering on speeches by Gov. Greg Abbott and other politicians. The Rally for Life was organized by a coalition of anti-abortion and religious groups, including Texas Alliance for Life and the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. The march marked the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.
- Offering no hints about her future, Texan Cecile Richards confirms she’s leaving Planned Parenthood: Longtime Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards confirmed Friday morning that she will step down from the women’s health organization, which she has led since 2006.
- Texas medical cannabis cultivator and dispensary has first harvest: One of the first Texas-licensed medical cannabis cultivators and dispensaries has harvested its first crop of medical cannabis.
Federal Healthcare News
- This Flu Season is the Worst in Nearly a Decade: All states except Hawaii report widespread flu, federal officials said Friday. Infection and hospitalization rates are likely to equal or surpass those in 2009.
- GOP goes on offense with 20-week abortion vote: Anti-abortion activists celebrated when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell(R-Ky.) announced that a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks would be brought to the floor for a vote next week.
- How Trump may end up expanding Medicaid, whether he means to or not:Republican lawmakers in a half-dozen states are launching fresh efforts to expand Medicaid, the nation’s health insurance program for the poor, as party holdouts who had blocked the expansion say they’re now open to it because of Trump administration guidelines allowing states to impose new requirements that program recipients work to get benefits.
- Controversial Trump drug policy appointee to step down: A 24-year-old appointed to a top position in the White House’s drug policy office will step down at the end of the month, The White House confirmed Wednesday night. Taylor Weyeneth, who was promoted last summer to serve as White House liaison to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, will depart following controversy over his limited work experience.
- New Findings Could Save Lives of More Stroke Patients: Doctors have more time than they thought to prevent death and disability from stroke, by removing blood clots that block circulation to the brain, a study shows.
- Online Sales of Illegal Opioids from China Surge in U.S.: A Senate report concluded that $800 million worth of fentanyl pills were shipped to the United States by Chinese sellers through mail system loopholes.