Medicaid

Starting Sept. 1, the Trump administration is withholding about $9.8 billion in extra funding that helps hospitals cover the difference between Medicaid payments and the actual cost of services.

Data shared by the state during stakeholder meetings reveals Texas' backlog of Medicaid applications grew by more than 209,000 between January and August – while the backlog for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, grew by more than 146,000. Advocates and state officials said new SNAP accuracy requirements might be the cause.

Rising food costs are hitting some of the most vulnerable Texans — including seniors living on fixed incomes. The food assistance nonprofit Feeding Texas has seen an increase in seniors seeking support over the past year. Meanwhile, KERA's Abigail Ruhman reports federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could be causing a significant backlog of Medicaid and SNAP applications in the state.

A new report shows Texas leading the country in its rate of uninsured children under 6.

Last week, Lubbock ISD’s Board of Trustees approved the locations for three new elementary schools as part of the district's 2025 bond election. Our Samantha Larned reports on the sites for Bean Elementary, a new building to serve both Williams and Stewart Elementary students, and the combined Wolffarth and McWhorter Elementary campuses. A Texas Medicaid leader says her office is taking steps to address potential fraud in the program. KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports it comes after the governor called for stronger anti-fraud enforcement.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is proposing cuts to the reimbursement rates for certain services — like ventilators and wheelchairs. Providers told a public hearing Monday the new rates could hurt medical supply companies and their patients.

Texas saw the largest increase in the rate of uninsured children in the country between 2022 and 2024. Experts warn it will likely get worse.

The nonpartisan Senate official whose office determines if legislation fits within the rules of the chamber dealt Senate Republicans a blow on proposed changes to Medicaid.