Family caregivers save Texas billions of dollars
The value provided by these unpaid family caregivers is greater than the entire Texas Medicaid program — federal and state spending combined.
Author Profile
Latest Columns
Assisted living facilities left residents adrift during Hurricane Harvey
State leaders, assisted living facility operators and the public should learn the lessons of Hurricane Harvey to avoid making the same mistakes.
Improved access to primary care in Texas is within reach
In recognition of National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and the important role that nurses play in the delivery of health care, it’s time to reflect on the constraints that Texas is placing on a profession that is consistently rated the most trusted in America.
Bring down utility rates under new federal tax law
Utility regulators in Texas have been sending positive signs they will make sure consumers get their fair share of savings from the recent corporate tax cuts — but let’s hold the applause until we start seeing lower monthly bills. For the sake of millions of families, this needs to happen sooner rather than later.
Guardianship oversight in Texas needs to be strengthened
There are approximately 55,000 active guardianships in Texas today, with $5 billion in assets under the control of guardians and the courts. And the numbers are rising.
Make Texas nursing homes safe
When making the difficult decision to place a loved one in a nursing home, family members deserve to know that the facility is adequately regulated to ensure their loved one is safe and in good custody. In Texas today, those assurances don’t exist.
Give Texas nurses full authority to heal
Let’s help improve access to affordable care in a smart way that makes sense for Texas. Let’s change how we regulate advanced practice nursing.
The Texas Legislature can end surprise medical bills
Unexpected medical bills can drive families into bankruptcy even if they are insured, but it doesn’t have to be like this.
Sale of Oncor is a bad bet for Texans
The sale is merely a transfer of wealth from millions of Texas ratepayers to the suit pockets of hedge fund managers and bankers.
Oncor sale raises warning signs for millions of Texas utility ratepayers
The deal under consideration by the Texas Public Utility Commission is a potentially dangerous one for consumers for generations to come.
New law helps Texans challenge surprise medical bills
Based on consumer complaints in Texas and throughout the nation, it’s clear that surprise medical billing — what’s known as “balance billing” — is not uncommon.
Texas' top health agency needs fresh focus on aging
With 10,000 people turning 65 every day in the U.S. and the Texas state demographer projecting that the number of people age 65 and older will triple by 2050, the need for a focus on aging is obvious.
How to best serve Texans this legislative session
Focusing on issues affecting citizens age 50 and up will be key to making this a great legislative session for Texas.
Texas caregivers need our support
Family caregivers provide unpaid care worth an estimated $34 billion per year in Texas alone. The breadth and enormity of these caregivers’ daily tasks deserve our heartfelt recognition.