Texas legislation

Take Patients Out of the Middle of Balance Billing – The Right Way - 06/02/2026

We are very much supportive of the need to protect the patient from a surprise out-of-network bill; however, our opposition to HB 3933 is driven by the modification of the mediation process and Texas law in a way that allows insurers to have more control over the market and places more of a financial burden on physicians and their practices.

TMA Calls for Stronger THC Rules - 06/02/2026

A recent House of Delegates resolution regarding products infused with hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) advocates for increased safety regulations and enforcement, including child safety, testing, and labeling standards.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Texas Medicaid Enrollment, Eligibility Systems Get Modernization Funding - 05/22/2026

The Texas legislature preserved Medicaid allotments that TMA advocated for in the 2023 session, while providing funding to support two important online systems.

TMA Addresses Health Care Costs in House Committee Hearing - 05/19/2026

Supporting a new Texas House select committee’s goal of making health care more affordable, TMA identified cost drivers, chiefly administrative burden. More opportunities will follow to offer solutions.

TMA Lays Out Public Health Funding Priorities in Agency Hearing - 05/18/2026

As the Texas Department of State Health Services considers its upcoming 2028-29 budget, TMA’s goals include dedicating money to strengthening infectious disease prevention and improving maternal and infant health, among others aimed at bolstering Texas’ public health infrastructure.

Legislative Interim Charges Add Health Care Affordability to Recurring Concerns - 05/11/2026

The priorities issued by state leaders provide a roadmap for the 2027 legislative session. Among them, TMA expects scope, insurance, and public health to be central issues once more, plus a renewed emphasis on health care affordability and fraud, waste, and abuse.

Supporting Medicine’s Supporters: TEXPAC Calls for More Members to Strengthen the Party of Medicine - 05/06/2026

TEXPAC’s grassroots approach resulted in successful campaigns across the political spectrum to boost medicine’s sway in the Texas Legislature, but to keep that record strong, and keep pace with medicine’s opponents, TEXPAC is looking to grow its ranks.

TEXPAC-Endorsed Candidates Post Strong Primary Results - 03/30/2026

TMA’s political action committee (TEXPAC) had a 92%-win rate across Texas Senate and House races, advancing medicine-friendly candidates to November’s general election. The victories, including that of one physician hopeful, reinforce ongoing efforts to prioritize physician-led care and health policy in the state.

Future of HHSC, DSHS to Be Determined by Sunset Review - 03/18/2026

Every 12 years, each state agency is subject to a sunset review process culminating with the Texas Legislature authorizing its continuation. TMA is providing initial input on two entities instrumental to the state’s health infrastructure.

‘Grow Your Own’: Lawmakers Continue to Invest in Medical Education to Expand Workforce - 03/01/2026

The 2025 session of the Texas Legislature showed that lawmakers still strongly support medical residency programs and medical schools.

Physicians Must Disclose AI Use Alongside Existing HIPAA Requirements, Per State Laws - 02/23/2026

Texas Senate Bill 1188 and Texas House Bill 149 require physicians to follow certain disclosure requirements when using artificial intelligence (AI). As these laws take effect, Texas physicians should ensure compliance in conjunction with HIPAA mandates.

Network Adequacy Enforcement Paused for State-Regulated PPOs and EPOs - 02/23/2026

A dispute between the Texas Department of Insurance and Texas Association of Health Plans has reopened rulemaking connected to a 2023 network adequacy law. TMA, which supported that law’s passage, will weigh in on the process.

Governor Vetoes Bill Gutting Medical Board - 02/20/2026

The full force of TMA advocacy came to bear in the veto of Senate Bill 268, which would have eviscerated an important Texas Medical Board function: halting the unlicensed practice of medicine by health professionals licensed by another Texas agency.

Rural-Access Solution Goes Before Senate Committee - 01/16/2026

The culmination of many months and meetings, TMA-backed Senate Bill 2695 was unveiled to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, opening a new pipeline for rural access to care while preserving Texas’ physician-led care model.

Direct Payment Model Available to All Texas Physicians Under New State Law - 12/30/2025

House Bill 541, now in effect, replaces the “direct primary care” nomenclature from a TMA-backed 2015 law with the more inclusive “direct patient care.” In a typical direct care model, patients pay a monthly fee, and in return, receive services like office visits and in-office procedures without involving insurance.

Medicine Whelms Nurse Scope Expansion Bill - 12/30/2025

Physicians from across the state made the trek to the Capitol to testify that House Bill 3974 would dismantle Texas’ longstanding physician-led care model and with it, patient safety. TMA and the legislature remain committed to quality solutions to the state’s access-to-care challenges.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: TMA Defeats Concerning Vaccine Bills For Second Session in a Row - 12/08/2025

Two bills that did survive will took effect Sept. 1, one of which imposes a specific informed consent form on physicians.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Amid Bad Insurance Bills Defeated, Gold Card Law Refinements Close Gaps - 12/08/2025

House Bill 3812 addresses some of the shortfalls and inconsistencies among payers in the intended implementation of Texas’ landmark prior authorization exemption law. The law took effect Sept. 1 but additional rulemaking by the Texas Department of Insurance is likely.    

Behavioral Health Infrastructure Gets Legislative Focus with TMA-Supported Bills - 12/02/2025

In addition to addressing youth social media use, the legislature also set out to create a pipeline for aspiring mental health professionals. Plus, TMA will help study how to balance psychiatric care burdens.

Legislators Can Request Health Insurance Mandate Analysis Via New State Law - 11/18/2025

Though the filed version of the bill would have heavily favored insurance companies, TMA successfully worked to add data transparency provisions to promote a comprehensive and unbiased analysis. Lawmakers also focused on price transparency bills affecting how facilities can bill patients for services.

Key Issues - 11/13/2025

At the heart of TMA's agenda for the 2025 Texas legislative session is protecting the practice of medicine and the patient-physician relationship.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Inside the Capitol – Lessons from the 89th Legislative Session - 11/13/2025

TMA Council on Legislation Chair Zeke Silva, MD, offers an inside look at what it was like to operate at the Capitol behind the scenes and on the stage during this year’s session.

2025 Legislative Wrap-Up: Erosions to Medical Liability Reforms Fail - 11/13/2025

Medicine’s work this session to preserve Texas’ landmark medical liability reforms started and ended like legislative sessions past with a perennial attempt to index the landmark 2003 noneconomic damages cap to inflation. But that story had a twist this session in that the vehicle to do so, House Bill 4036, was pushed by a pair of Republicans alongside its typical Democrat contingency.  

Obesity Rate Continues to Hike Among Adult Texans - 11/10/2025

Recent findings show the share of adults with obesity is still climbing, maintaining a 20-year upward trend in the state. Texas officials and the legislature work to combat the issue through state programs and new legislation.

$3 Billion Dementia Research Investment Up for Vote in November - 11/05/2025

Alzheimer’s disease, which comprises 60-80% of dementia cases, is rising in Texas and becoming a public health crisis, per state officials. TMA supports a new research institute aiming to change that.