Health Care Policy in the 83rd Texas Legislature

When Government Lobbies Itself: Why Texas Should Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

Texas local governments use taxpayer dollars to hire lobbyists to influence state legislation—creating conflicts of interest, distorting democratic accountability, and undermining the interests of Texas taxpayers. Key points: Taxpayer-funded lobbying expenditures more than doubled from the 85th to the 89th Legislature, now reaching as high as $111.5 million. Taxpayer-funded lobbyists consistently opposed legislation involving property...

‘Restorative reproductive medicine’ should be offered sooner

After years of struggling with infertility and several autoimmune disease diagnoses, Clara was advised to begin IVF treatment. But Clara was concerned about the stress IVF would put on her body, so she and her husband chose a different path. At the age of 38, following three cycles of restorative reproductive medicine (RRM), Clara gave...

‘Fail First’ Policies Failed Me, It’s Time to Fix Step Therapy in Texas

When I was 14 years old, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, organs, and tissues it’s meant to protect. That diagnosis marked the start of a lifelong battle not just against disease, but against a system designed to deny me the treatment I...