Dying patients shouldn't have to fight the federal government
Terminal patients have enough on their hands fighting for their lives. They should not have to fight the government, too.
More Columns
A smart wireless strategy for Austin
Wireless connectivity amplifies every aspect of daily life, from improving transportation and public safety to enhancing business and personal communications. Yet Austin's current wireless infrastructure is as frustratingly clogged as its streets and highways.
Texas families must act to help foster children
We have all heard the tragic stories of our children who've been failed by the system. But instead of pointing fingers, let's take meaningful action now to produce better outcomes for those most in need.
Judge early college programs' success by the big picture
Making it easier for high school students to receive college credits is not a significant accomplishment if it doesn't lead to more students obtaining higher levels of education.
The truth behind common vaccine misconceptions
Propaganda has led parents to believe that toxins in vaccines will injure their children, that the vaccines probably won't work and that they aren't even necessary anyway. But of course, none of that is true.
Reimagining Houston’s Convention District
Come experience a unique and welcoming destination that mixes Texas culture and Southern charm.
50 years after UT Tower shooting, the memories return
For five decades, I have revisited Austin on that day in 1966. I see the carnage — pools of blood covering the sidewalk, bodies, some covered, people crying, clutching each other.
With experimental drugs, "right to try" can go wrong
When it comes to experimental drug access, circumventing Food and Drug Administration protections can leave terminally ill patients vulnerable to unknown — and possibly deadly — side effects.
Better testing could mean brighter future for schools
Education reformers are pursuing two different approaches for escaping the pitfall of turning schools into joyless test-preparation factories.
"Conscientious" vaccine exemptions are anything but
Let's be clear: There is nothing conscientious about rejecting vaccines for non-medical reasons.
The right prescription for Texas
Texans deserve to have the right medicines at the right time, based on their doctors’ recommendations, and they should be able to access those medicines regardless of the neighborhood they live in or what plan covers them.
Making cents of health care costs: the rising reality
Health care spending in the United States has reached a new all-time high. During this critical time, it's important to learn where health care dollars are going and how to save on expensive medical costs.
Fostering civil discourse after Dallas attack
We can and should continue to mourn for the slain police officers and their families, while at the same time recognizing our own complicity as a nation and a city in what led to this despicable act through our passive acceptance of racial disparities.
After Brexit, NAFTA nations face tough choices
Will the United States, Mexico and Canada turn inward and limit their economic progress, or will they seize the opportunity to enable greater growth?
It's time for Texas to invest in all public school students
The best way to achieve an adequate, suitable, and efficient education is to move students from a waiting list to a classroom.
Words do matter, Dan Patrick — yours included
It was quite a sight: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick admonishing President Obama at a town hall meeting on race, telling him, “Words matter — your words matter.” This from a state leader that has used words as hammers, to kick the wounded and politicize grief.
Texas teachers must address police shootings head-on
I hope each teacher and parent recognizes the responsibility to cultivate our future generation of leaders and citizens and that they are not afraid to step away from testing to talk about the social and political issues that impact our society.
Protecting Texans from Zika requires action, not gamesmanship
In an attempt to score political points and make Republicans look ineffective, Democrats in Congress have decided to gamble with the health of our country by filibustering a bill that could have helped stop the spread of the Zika virus.
How corporate agribusinesses are fouling our waters
When most people think of water pollution, they think of pipes dumping toxic chemicals. But a new report quantifies another threat to our water quality: factory farms.
“Back the Blue” bill would open the door for federal overreach
U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are behind a bill that would make the murder of a police officer a federal crime. But while failure to “Back the Blue” is a moral issue, it should not be a legislative one.