Stories written by Amy Sorrel

UPDATE: Rural Texas Strong Grant Applications Extended - 05/22/2026

For the initiative most directly applicable to physician groups, the state anticipates awarding at least one grant per rural county of up to $725,000 to help recruit and train the rural workforce, with an application deadline of June 9. Other tracks for equipment and chronic disease prevention are also open.

UPDATE: New Information-Blocking Requirements Take Effect Despite Medicine's Call for Delay - 05/21/2026

Since April 2021, federal rules requiring physicians to give patients prompt access to their electronic health information have been focused on a narrow subset of those data. Starting Oct. 6, the so-called information-blocking requirements are set to broaden that scope significantly.

Feds Extend Telemedicine Prescribing Flexibilities Through 2024 - 05/20/2026

With permanent telehealth prescribing policies still under consideration, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) again has extended temporary pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities to allow physicians to virtually prescribe certain controlled medications, now through Dec. 31, 2024.

New Federal Bill Attempts to Stabilize Medicare Payment - 05/13/2026

Congress is considering legislation that would address budget neutrality, calculations for practice expenses, and variance in the conversion factor – all elements impacting Medicare physician payment.

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.

New TMA Policies Target Rural Workforce Boost - 05/05/2026

The association also adopted new policies advocating for tracking of state and federal funds for rural health, promoting loan forgiveness, and increasing preceptorship funding.

TMA Board Approves Expanding References to Evidence-Based Vaccine Resources - 04/23/2026

The decision follows federal changes that represent a departure from past vaccine policies and have raised concerns among the medical community.

TMA Secures Clarification on State H-1B Visa Restrictions - 04/13/2026

In meeting with state officials to obtain more information, TMA confirmed the current freeze does not apply to renewals and leaves open a door for new petitions from state medical schools and health science centers.

New CDC Vaccination Schedule Raises Questions About Legal Risks - 03/04/2026

Updates as of this January show a decrease in recommended child and adult immunizations, which have sparked concerns about changes to informed consent and other potential liability.

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.

TMB Adopts Rules for Two New Physician License Categories Amid Visa Impediments for IMGs - 02/02/2026

International medical graduates (IMGs) and unmatched physician graduates now have rules on how to apply for new license classes created via 2025 legislation aimed at expanding the state’s physician workforce. However, a state halt on certain work visas could also impede the law’s progress.

Federal, State Impediments to H-1B Visas Threaten Texas Physician Workforce - 02/02/2026

A 2025 presidential order requiring a new $100,000 fee for H-1B work visa applicants, followed by a Jan. 27 freeze on new petitions by Gov. Greg Abbott, could squeeze the pipeline of international medical graduates helping to meet the state's health care needs.

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.

DSHS Survey to Inform Legislative Policy on COVID-19 Vaccines in Texas - 01/09/2026

As part of a 2021 legislative mandate, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is funding a survey to collect feedback from physicians and health care professionals regarding access to COVID-19 vaccines.   The COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Confidence (COVHAC) Survey: A Rapid Community A

Disrupting the Marketplace: How the ACA Expiring Tax Credits Could Impact Health Care Costs - 01/05/2026

With the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace on the precipice of a massive change – expiration of the enhanced Advance Premium Tax Credits – physicians fear that might add additional confusion, higher costs, and even a loss of insurance for millions of Americans.

Community Support: Texas Aims to Use Federal Funding to Address Rural Health Care Challenges - 01/05/2026

Texas aims to use federal funding to address rural health care challenges.

CMS Delivers Temporary Bump to Medicare Pay in 2026, Among Sweeping Changes in Proposed Fee Schedule - 12/30/2025

A temporary, one-year 2.5% Medicare payment update across the board reflects requirements Congress approved in its final budget. The proposal also includes, for the first time, two separate conversion factors with slight, albeit permanent, updates aimed at promoting value-based care.

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.

TMA Council, Committee Applications Due Jan. 9 - 12/03/2025

The weeks leading up to TexMed, TMA’s annual policymaking conference, mean new members are selected for TMA’s councils and committees – the engine driving medicine’s grassroots advocacy. Physicians interested in serving or recommending a colleague to serve must submit nominations by Jan. 9, 2026.

Texas in the Running for Federal Rural Health Care Funding - 11/25/2025

The state’s “Rural Texas Strong: Supporting Health and Wellness” proposal requests $1 billion over five years for wide-ranging improvement programs reaching each of Texas’ 202 rural counties. With some of medicine’s ideas incorporated, TMA is cautiously analyzing the proposal’s potential to support rural physicians.

Resolutions Due Jan. 30 for House of Delegates Consideration - 11/19/2025

With TexMed set a little earlier than usual this year in April, TMA’s House of Delegates is already gearing up its policymaking process. And good TMA policy starts with good resolution-writing, which can be done by any member.

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.

TMA Policymaking Operates on Physician-Driven Input - 11/12/2025

Every physician can look around and see a policy change or improvement that could make life better for patients and colleagues. TMA’s House of Delegates, the organization’s policymaking body that meets annually at TexMed, is often the best place to set reform in motion.

Government Shutdown: Medicare Continues to Pay Claims for Unexpired Services - 10/27/2025

As of Oct. 15, “no payments have been delayed,” the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said, clarifying a previous notice suggesting a claims hold. Expired provisions continue to include telehealth services.