Texas Hospital Association

02/19/2026

Health care affordability is under a microscope. But what’s really driving hospital costs?

From workforce shortages to the rising cost of drugs and supplies, THA examines what’s shaping the health care cost conversation in Texas. 🔗 Read more in the latest article now on The Scope: https://bit.ly/4l4m9LX

02/18/2026

What is the Texas Legislature, its committees and lobbyists up to for the year the legislature isn’t in session?

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨.” - Carrie Kroll, Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Public Policy, Texas Hospital Association

Learn more about the important work being done during the year-long interim period, the health care policy priorities THA will be taking on in this time and how you can support advocacy efforts below ⬇️

02/17/2026

🔦 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Provider shortages, long travel distances and growing demand have made local solutions essential for the rural residents of Monahans. By expanding access into this west Texas town, Ward Memorial Hospital is working to bring critical behavioral health services closer to home.

The hospital’s “patient-based, patient-centered" approach to mental health services helps ensure patients can receive timely, compassionate care without leaving their communities.

🔗 Read the full feature here: https://bit.ly/3OjJWv2

02/13/2026

📈 Hospital care costs are rising – 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙮?

From workforce shortages and wage growth to supply chain pressures and rising drug costs, hospitals are facing real and measurable financial challenges.

THA’s new white paper breaks down the facts on hospital care costs. Get the full picture in “What’s Driving the Cost of Hospital Care?” here: https://bit.ly/4crBfIL

White Papers and Reports from the Texas Hospital Association articulate industry data and perspective on behalf of hundreds of hospitals across Texas.

02/11/2026

THA is pleased to introduce our industry partner, Veritas Health Services, a Texas-based organization delivering a Medicaid-first remote patient monitoring (RPM) operating model designed to support hospitals, health systems and affiliated provider clinics.

Veritas Health Services provides:

🔵 Turnkey RPM ecosystem combining Avokaid-manufactured cellular devices and supplies

🔵 Health coaching

🔵 Proprietary software to support chronic disease management

🔵 Programs built to scale and live within approximately 30 days

Aligned with Texas Medicaid’s RPM framework, Veritas uniquely enables no-cost devices and services for eligible Medicaid populations – expanding access to care without introducing provider financial risk.

🔗 Learn more or request a presentation at veritashs.org.

02/09/2026

🚩 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢: Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a statewide disaster declaration in response to rising numbers of the New World Screwworm fly infesting livestock in a Mexican border state. The proclamation authorizes the Texas NWS Response Team to “fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite,” following a warning about the pests over a year ago.

Though there are no reported cases in the U.S., Texas has employed several preventive measures to counter the serious and potentially mortal threat the flies pose to livestock, pets, wildlife – and humans.

🔗 Read the governor’s full declaration here:

Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statewide disaster declaration to better equip the Texas New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Team to prevent the potential spread of the NWS fly into Texas and to better protect livestock and wildlife. 

02/06/2026

Today, the Texas Hospital Association Board of Trustees convened for its first meeting of 2026 at THA headquarters, marking the start of a new year of leadership and governance for the association.

Representing hospitals across Texas, the board brings together leaders from rural communities and major metropolitan health systems alike. This breadth of experience ensures diverse perspectives help guide THA’s strategic direction and advocacy on behalf of hospitals statewide.

🔗 Meet the members of the 2026 THA Board of Trustees here: https://bit.ly/4r4DHcV

02/05/2026

𝗜𝗖𝗬𝗠𝗜: The end of the government shutdown on Tuesday brought several pieces of welcome news for hospitals, including lawmakers erasing two years’ worth of long-festering, long-postponed Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital cuts.

The funding package funds most of the government through the rest of fiscal year 2026, which ends on Sept. 30. It erases the planned DSH cuts for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, leaving only the reductions scheduled for FY 2028. Also in the funding deal:

🔵 The Low-Volume Adjustment and Medicare-Dependent Hospital programs, which provide enhanced payments for financially unstable rural hospitals, were both extended through the rest of 2026.

🔵 The Acute Hospital Care at Home Program is extended through 2030.

🔵 Flexible telehealth policies introduced as part of the COVID-19 pandemic will be in effect through 2027.

These results were the culmination of more than a year’s worth of advocacy work by THA. Hospital advocates helped keep these issues on the minds of the Texas congressional delegation and worked with like-minded lawmakers such as Rep. Dan Crenshaw, who helped lead the charge for Congress to address the DSH cuts.

🔗 Details can be found below:

Summary of H.R.7148 - 119th Congress (2025-2026): Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026

02/05/2026

Beyond the Desk: Homegrown Leadership With Cris Daskevich

Take a peek behind the desk as CHRISTUS Children's CEO Cris Daskevich reflects on her family and the experiences that continue to shape how she leads. 🔗 Read her full story on The Scope: https://bit.ly/49VEFB1

02/05/2026

Under a state law developed in 2023 by Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra, D-McAllen, every March 4 in Texas is observed as “COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day.” In preparation for this observance, THA has created a guide and toolkit with resources on how you can get your facility involved.

🔗 To access more information and the toolkit, read the COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day Resources article on The Scope: https://bit.ly/4bzwLzD

02/04/2026

🔵 Now boarding: Jamie Youssef, CEO at Ascension Texas

Providing leadership in strategy, governance and member representation, the Texas Hospital Association Board of Trustees helps guide THA’s work across the state. In 2026, nine new trustees are joining the board, bringing new perspectives to a 30-member body.

Meet Jamie and the eight additional leaders joining the THA Board of Trustees now on The Scope: https://bit.ly/49FCOQv