Sophie Novack
By Sophie Novack:
Texas Bill Would Revoke Medical Licenses of Doctors Who Perform Abortions
A measure proposed in the special session would ban physicians from providing almost all abortions.
A bill filed in the Texas Legislature’s special session would revoke the licenses of doctors who perform abortions in the state, with limited exceptions. The measure, filed by far-right Representative Valoree Swanson, R-Spring, would expand the “prohibited practices” that result … Read More
Texas Mother ‘Deathly Afraid’ of Medicaid Cuts Under GOP Health Plan
Patients, families, doctors, and advocates gathered at a health care town hall with Congressman Lloyd Doggett on Sunday.
For Diane Kearns, the current debate over health care reform comes down to this: “Medicaid saved Dean’s life.” Dean is her son, she explained to several hundred people at a town hall meeting in Austin this weekend. He has cerebral … Read More
Five New Laws that Will Likely Get Texas Sued (Or Already Have)
The Texas Legislature passed at least 5 arguably unconstitutional bills this year, and the special session hasn’t even started.
Infighting, red-meat politics and parliamentary revenge characterized this year’s Texas Legislature. Amid the fray, legislators failed to reauthorize basic state agencies such as the Texas Medical Board, which is why Texans now face the gloomy fate of another 30-day session … Read More
The GOP Health Plan Would Give Governor Greg Abbott Power Over Your Coverage
The Senate bill allows states a huge amount of leeway to get rid of insurance requirements.
The Senate Republicans’ health care plan would give governors virtually unchecked discretion over health insurance plans. In red states with governors hostile to health care expansion, such as Texas, that could mean loss of coverage and skyrocketing costs for patients. Governor … Read More
Who Really Gets Government Benefits In Texas?
It’s already difficult to qualify for Medicaid in Texas. The GOP health care plan would drastically shrink the program.
JOANNA WOJTKOWIAK Texas already has some of the strictest eligibility requirements of any state for poverty relief programs. More than 4 million Texans live in poverty — about 16 percent of the state’s population — but programs such as Medicaid, … Read More
How Texas’ Anti-Abortion Lawmakers Win Even While Losing in Court
Senate Bill 8 will likely face a lawsuit this summer. The problem for abortion-rights advocates is that legislation often moves faster than the courts.
“Why don’t we just stop passing unconstitutional laws?” asked an exasperated Representative Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie. He spoke in May as the House debated a sweeping new anti-abortion bill that Governor Greg Abbott has since signed into law. Turner didn’t … Read More
Governor Greg Abbott Vetoes Women’s Health Committee Despite Ongoing Crises
Rep. Donna Howard said Abbott’s veto is “disgraceful” and jeopardizes “health and safety of women across the state.”
Texas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world, the highest rate of repeat teen pregnancy in the United States, the highest uninsured rate in the country and an ongoing Zika outbreak that threatens pregnant women. Yet Governor … Read More
Texas’ Maternal Mortality Rate: Worst in Developed World, Shrugged off by Lawmakers
Lawmakers largely ignored the state's pregnancy-related death rate that doubled over a two-year period.
Courtesy/Shawn Thierry When she got pregnant four years ago, Representative Shawn Thierry knew she was at risk. She was 42 at the time, an age at which women are more likely to face pregnancy complications. “But I certainly didn’t know … Read More
Texas Bill Could Send People to Jail for Driving a Woman to an Abortion, Lawmaker Says
A sweeping anti-abortion bill leaves prosecutors wide discretion over who is charged for unlawful abortions.
May 26 UPDATE: The Senate accepted House amendments to SB 8 on a vote of 22-9 Friday afternoon. The bill now heads to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for his signature; pending approval, it will take effect Sept. 1. Representative Joe Moody, … Read More