Stories from Texas Medicine, April 2023

TMA Moment in Time: SGR Repeal - 04/09/2024

The historic victory has roots in TMA advocacy and may provide a playbook for future Medicare reform.

Texas BookShare: The program puts a novel twist on promoting healthy living to youth - 02/14/2024

Since 2021, BookShare has aimed to place big ideas into little hands across Texas by providing funding for books and promoting community collaboration along the way. Today the program has grown to encompass seven counties across Texas and has given away more than 5,000 health-related books to children in Texas.

Walk-In Care: Walk With a Doc Texas Extends Physicians' Reach - 06/14/2023

Walk With a Doc is a nonprofit – founded in 2005 by Ohio cardiologist David Sabgir, MD – that encourages physical activity in people of all ages and that aims to reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle. And it has proven to come with so many benefits to physicians themselves and to the patient-physician relationship.

Hard Hats for Little Heads: TMA’s Helmet Giveaway Saves Lives - 06/14/2023

The Texas Medical Association's Hard Hats for Little Heads program allows physicians to supply bike helmets to kids. The organization's longest-running outreach program has helped protect children's health and promote exercise by giving away more than 375,000 helmets.

Abbott Signals Support for Opioid Crisis Interventions: Federal Efforts Also Are Underway - 04/05/2023

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in February listed the fentanyl crisis as one of seven “emergency” items this session, clearing a path toward passage of Texas Medical Association-backed legislation that aims to curb opioid-related deaths.

A Light in Dark Times: TMA Adds Counseling Service to Resources - 04/03/2023

With new causes for burnout arising at every turn, TMA adds a new counseling service to its physician wellness resources to fill a rural gap.

Scoping Out the Best Care: TMA Defends Team-Based Care Model - 04/03/2023

As expected, scores of scope expansion attempts have again crept their way into the hundreds of bills TMA is tracking; it's an issue that affects all physicians and patients, regardless of specialty or geography.

Community Connections: TMA’s Council on Health Promotion Helps Physicians Boost Hometown Health - 04/03/2023

The Texas Medical Association's Council on Health Promotion oversees the organization's outreach programs and helps develop new ones. These programs are used by county medical societies, alliance chapters, medical student groups, and medical practices to improve community health.