health care

Early detection of Alzheimer’s Disease is important. A geriatric medicine physician explains how early signs differ from normal aging.

Soccer fans from around the world will be coming to North Texas this month for the FIFA World Cup. Local health leaders have been preparing for the influx of people for about a year and a half. Hospital and public health officials say what they’re doing hasn’t changed much, but how they do it has.

Health care is the largest and fastest growing industry in Texas — but the workforce isn't growing fast enough to meet increasing demand. Workforce shortages are getting worse, according to testimony from state officials during a House Committee on Public Health hearing.

State data shows more than 40,000 pregnant Texans waited more than a month for the state to process their Medicaid applications — with more than half waiting more than 60 days. An advocacy group said delays in applications getting processed can combine with issues getting appointments and can lead to delayed prenatal care.

Texans with disabilities can wait almost two decades for certain Medicaid programs. During a House Human Services Committee public hearing Tuesday, advocates and some state lawmakers said they worry what long wait times mean for the nearly 200,000 Texans on "interest lists" for services.

The agency that oversees behavioral health and social work providers has about 1,000 “pending” complaints against providers — hundreds more than it has received in previous years. Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council leadership told lawmakers it may need support from the state to handle the volume.

To avoid the long distances rural health care providers have to travel for needed training, Texas Health has created a mobile simulation lab to bring the training directly to providers.

Some of Texas’ largest buyers of health care provided insight into what might be driving higher health care costs. The House Select Committee on Health Care Affordability concluded its two-day public hearing Friday.

Health care costs are increasing faster than the rate of inflation. A Texas House committee is holding a two-day hearing this week to learn more about what drives lack of affordable healthcare before working on policy recommendations later this year.

Texas is in the process of planning for the future of its state hospitals. Some advocates and families said Texas needs to improve capacity and access as demand for services grows.

A North Texas physician explains what a fever is, why you shouldn't fear them and when you should be concerned.

Prism Health North Texas, a community health center, participated in clinical trials for Merck's new HIV treatment, Idvynso. It could help address a drug resistance that's been on the rise in low- and middle-income countries.