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Public Health

 A ‘Politically Motivated Cover-Up’: Why the State’s Maternal Death Report Was Pushed Until After Midterms

Advocates and lawmakers warn the state health agency's decision to delay releasing the annual report will further harm women—and make it harder to enact necessary laws in 2027.

by Mary Tuma

Keep Reading

Texas Is Trying to Punish Its Way Out of a Prison Overdose Crisis

by Michelle Pitcher

What the Data Says About Electricity Shutoffs During Sweltering Texas Summers

by Mezabahnur Masum

Texas Maternal Mortality Committee’s Next Report Will Skip Post-‘Roe’ Deaths. Lawmakers Suspect Political Influence.

by Mary Tuma

A masked Black woman laying in a hospital bed receives an ultrasound from a Black medical technician or doctor, who is pointing at the computer screen showing the infant. Jul 27, 2023

Save the Mothers

Maternal mortality rates are too high in Texas and the U.S. in general. We could fix that.

by Dinah Waranch

A person in a cowboy hat and a braid is seen, partly in silhouette, from behind in a crowd outdoors. Jul 19, 2023

After Dobbs, Native People Face a Web of Obstacles to Reproductive Care

In addition to external constraints, many tribal governments appear reluctant to actively fight for abortion access.

by Jen Deerinwater

Water fountain Jul 06, 2023

Texans Die from Heat After Governor Bans Mandatory Water Breaks

House Bill 2127 preempts local governments from enacting legislation in eight areas—with potentially deadly results.

by Steven Monacelli

The May/June cover of our magazine depicts a cartoon around the theme of "A madhouse of women's healthcare," with a building covered in cracks and giant bandaids, explored by hapless doctors and patients. In covered glass domes are symbols of healthcare like condoms and diaphragms, a uterus, and similar, along with a literal mountain of paperwork being scaled in the backdrop. The headline is "Wrecking Women's Healthcare" by Julie Poole. May 22, 2023

Wrecking Women’s Healthcare

Low-income Texans depend on family planning clinics. The clinics depend on a program that's in trouble.

by Julie Poole

A little girl (child) waving a rainbow flag in the Pride March (Gay Pride Month, "Marche des Fiertes") for the inclusion and rights of the LGBTQI+ in Paris, France on June, 25, 2022. May 18, 2023

Fast & Furious XI: Texas’ Transgender Youth

Headed for the governor’s desk, SB 14 shows the Legislature has no idea what healthcare for trans kids even is.

by Nancy Goldstein

In this July 10, 2015, frame from dashcam video provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, a heated confrontation between trooper Brian Encinia leads to the arrest of Sandra Bland after a minor traffic infraction in which the state trooper tried to drag Bland from her car, drew his stun gun and threatened that he would "light you up" in Waller County, Texas. Bland was taken to the Waller County Jail that day and was found dead in her cell on July 13. May 12, 2023

‘He Failed to Signal’: When DPS Traffic Stops Turn Deadly

Shandra Hodge speaks out about her son’s death at the hands of state troopers in 2019.

by Michelle Pitcher

A collage of three pictures of Antelmo Ramirez. First, he poses for a portrait, then he poses with his young daughter, and last he plays with his grandkids. May 08, 2023

He Died Helping Build Tesla’s Gigafactory. Tesla Didn’t Tell Local Officials.

Antelmo Ramirez was a dad, grandpa, and husband. His death by hyperthermia is absent from a Tesla report required as part of a Travis County tax deal.

by Gus Bova

A sign from a reproductive rights protest with text "We will save us" along with a hand holding a card that says, "Abortion Pills." Apr 19, 2023

The Path to a Safe Abortion Gets Narrower—Again

Large numbers of Texans are turning to out-of-state help to end their pregnancies safely. But now that option is under siege.

by Sara Hutchinson

The March/April issue of the Texas Observer, featuring some of our best work in 2023. The cover depicts a cartoon of young boy dressed as a militia member. Apr 02, 2023

The Texas Observer Lives!

After a terrifying near-death experience, we live to muckrake another day.

by Gabriel Arana

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