Health

More than five dozen groups — including United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the Tarrant Area Food Bank — wrote in support of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's request for $300 million to improve processing times for Medicaid and SNAP applications.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that more than 93,000 Texans who have served are eligible for healthcare benefits, but unenrolled. The VA is encouraging veterans exposed to blasts during their service to pursue care. And our reporter Bishop Van Buren has more on Lubbock Animal Services' donation campaign and advice for pet owners this holiday season.

Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider has more on opposition to a potential statewide THC ban from Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. ERCOT's meteorologist has predicted an elevated chance of a severe weather event this winter, with patterns similar to those from 2021.

Almost half of Texas counties have nowhere to get prenatal care, let alone deliver a baby. This plan offers legislative proposals to shore up what’s left.

Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports on a Texas committee's announcement to skip over investigating pregnancy related deaths for the years 2022 and 2023. Coffee with the Mayor, hosted by Lubbock mayor Mark McBrayer and District 3 councilman David Glasheen, will be tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. at the Market Street at 3405 50th Street.

A challenge to the Texas law that outlaws abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected could be dismissed after a ruling from the state's Supreme Court, KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports. The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has provided an update on the security breaches that took place in September. More information can be found at ttuhscinfo.com or by calling the assistance line at 1-866-902-1996.

Our reporter Bishop Van Buren reports on this year's Alzheimer's Symposium from the Garrison Institute on Aging and its focus on caregivers. When it comes to children, climate change-driven weather disasters, such as wildfires, can have a big impact on their health. Lubbock Public Health is hosting a vaccine clinic for uninsured children and children receiving Medicaid or CHIP from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Lubbock Public Health building at 2015 50th Street.

Modeled after the state’s $6 billion cancer research fund, the dementia fund — a legislative priority for Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick — could pump hundreds of millions of dollars into Texas researchers.

Health and Human Services data shows an encouraging decline in north Texas related to the opioid epidemic. KERA's Marina Trahan Martinez reports that so far this year, local deaths involving fentanyl use are trending down. And Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider says the Texas Senate is looking at how to protect the state’s power grid against worst-case scenarios.

Although Texas counties are not required to provide ambulance services, many are digging deep to pay for their own fleet or to contract out services.