Search Results for: women's health program

Judicial Q&A: Judge Lucia Bates

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: As I have done in past elections, I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This is intended to help introduce the candidates and their experiences to those who plan to vote in … Continue reading →

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Now is not a good time for HHSC to be dysfunctional

Posted on October 7, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

And yet here we are. Under Charles Smith, the longtime ally of Gov. Greg Abbott picked to lead the state’s Health and Human Services Commission, Texas’ government health care infrastructure is hemorrhaging veteran employees and facing criticism for its response … Continue reading →

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Signings and vetoes

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Greg Abbott does his thing. Gov. Greg Abbott has vetoed 50 bills that were passed during the regular legislative session, his office announced Thursday. That’s several more than he vetoed following the last session and the most a governor has … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

State seeks Medicaid money it gave up over Planned Parenthood ban

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

Ugh. Four years after Texas gave up millions of dollars in federal Medicaid funds so it could ban Planned Parenthood from participating in a family planning program for low-income women, the state is asking the Trump administration for the money … Continue reading →

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Planned Parenthood still in Medicaid

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Charles Kuffner

For now, pending judgment. U.S. District Court Judge Sam Sparks on Thursday delayed Planned Parenthood’s ouster from the state’s Medicaid program until Feb. 21. […] During closing arguments Thursday hearing, attorneys from both sides cited clips from the video. Sparks … Continue reading →

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Strategizing for the next HERO fight

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Good move. Stung by setbacks related to their access to public restrooms, transgender Americans are taking steps to play a more prominent and vocal role in a nationwide campaign to curtail discrimination against them. Two such initiatives are being launched … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2015 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Let the budgetary games begin

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Charles Kuffner

The House takes up the budget today, with over 300 amendments and riders queued up for votes. A couple of things to watch for as the debate goes on: Killing vouchers. Lawmakers in the Texas House will have a chance … Continue reading →

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Planned Parenthood comes out swinging

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Charles Kuffner

Good to see. Planned Parenthood’s political arm is embarking on the most aggressive campaign it has ever waged in Texas, with plans to spend $3 million to turn out voters for Democratic candidates including Sens. Wendy Davis for governor and … Continue reading →

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House debates its budget

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, yesterday was Budgetpalooza in the House. The House budget puts more money into public education and less into health and human services than a Senate proposal that passed the upper chamber last month. “No one is or … Continue reading →

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Feds bypass the state on Title X funds

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Very interesting. The federal government announced [Monday] that it would no longer award a large slice of federal family-planning funds to the state of Texas. Instead, the feds will award the $6.5 million grant to the Women’s Health and Family … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The war on women continues apace

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Honestly, I’m surprised that it’s taken as long as it has for this to happen. Abortion clinics in Texas may soon face harsh new state requirements that pro-choice advocates say could greatly reduce access to abortion. Sens Bob Deuell (R-Greenville), … Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

No injunction in state lawsuit for Planned Parenthood

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Bummer. Travis County District Judge Stephen Yelenosky on Friday refused to grant Planned Parenthood’s request for a temporary injunction to be included in the Texas Women’s Health Program. “Probable injury is not really sufficient,” said Yelenosky, who ruled in favor … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Substitute WHP has problems: Film at 11

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

No one could have seen this coming. State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, has been worried about the Women’s Health Program since the state said it would create its own version of the program. That came after the state moved to … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: For Wendy Davis

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

Very nice. Two state legislators are running to represent a demographically changing senatorial District 10: the incumbent, Democrat Sen. Wendy Davis, and Republican state Rep. Mark Shelton. Davis, who defeated an entrenched incumbent four years ago, did not take long … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2012 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

News flash: Birth control prevents unwanted pregnancies

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Charles Kuffner

I know, I’m as shocked as you are. Free birth control led to dramatically lower rates of abortions and teen births, a large study concludes. The findings were eagerly anticipated and come as a bitterly contested Obama administration policy is … Continue reading →

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Feds may prevent some cuts to Planned Parenthood

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

Good news, at least potentially. Stephanie Goodman of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission confirms that the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent a bulletin advising state officials that federal rules do not permit states to ban … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Budget passes

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s official. The Texas House and Senate passed a state budget Saturday that cuts billions from public schools, state universities and health care for the elderly. The $172 billion legislation now goes to Gov. Rick Perry for his signature. Facing … Continue reading →

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Fight over family planning funds coming

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a small piece of the difference between the House and Senate budgets, but it will surely be a big part of the fight over how the two are reconciled. The Senate budget approved by the Finance Committee would spend … Continue reading →

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Senate pushes back on House efforts to redirect family planning funds

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Charles Kuffner

A little sanity is always nice to see. State budget cuts taking aim at Planned Parenthood may limit the availability of family planning services for many poor Texans and have the unintended consequence of increasing unwanted pregnancies, two key lawmakers … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Planned Parenthood

Posted on October 14, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

As a progressive in Texas, I often find myself in the position of having to bite my tongue when it comes to some of the not-exactly-progressive positions that a number of my fellow Democrats take. Some do so out of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Twelve-month re-ups the hard way

Posted on April 23, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Last year, the Lege passed HB109, which restored some of the families that had been cut from CHIP back to the program. Despite some fierce resistance from various Republicans, it reinstated a 12-month period for enrollment; the 6-month period that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Twelve-month re-ups the hard way

Judy Norsigian in town

Posted on April 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

One of the fine people I met at my precinct convention on March 4 was a woman named Cathy who served as the convention secretary. She sent me the following information about an upcoming appearance by Judy Norsigian that I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Pasty time

Posted on March 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

With all their setbacks in court, the local strip clubs are contemplating other options. Eric Langan says he may respond to the U.S. Supreme Court with pasties. Langan, 39, is the chief executive officer of Houston-based Rick’s Cabaret International Inc., … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Rep. Farrar’s personal privilege speech on HB1098

Posted on May 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The following speech was delivered on the floor of the House by Rep. Jessica Farrar after HB1098 became law without Governor Perry’s signature: Mr. Speaker and Members- I come before you today to deliver the first personal privilege speech of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: Cohen, Ortiz, Garcia

Posted on October 19, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Another day, another big endorsement for Ellen Cohen, as the Houston Police Officers Union (HPOU) gives her the nod. From the press release (Word doc): “I am humbled and honored to receive the support of the men and women who … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

Perry gets aboard the “No special election” bandwagon?

Posted on April 6, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Peggy Fikac has the story: Gov. Rick Perry said today he doesn’t plan to call an emergency election to replace U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay when the former House majority leader resigns. That means voters in Congressional District 22 won’t get … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments