children's health

Public health officials said some parents are confused about what vaccines are required to attend Texas schools amid efforts to change recommendations.

Every carrier selling health insurance in the two states through the Affordable Care Act marketplace hopes to raise premiums in 2027, according to preliminary rate filings with state insurance regulators. They blame rising healthcare costs.

Despite efforts to increase immunization rates by providing free and more accessible vaccinations, experts say Oklahoma's overall child vaccination rates are down amid skepticism about the efficacy of vaccines.

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.

A new report shows Texas leading the country in its rate of uninsured children under 6.

From a West Texas measles outbreak to rising vaccine exemptions statewide, families of immunocompromised children depend on herd immunity, which is slowly eroding.

“These are not just abstract numbers. These are Kansas kids losing access to food,” said Haley Kottler, senior campaign director at Kansas Appleseed.

The Texas Legislature at least partially implemented less than a third of recommendations from the state's 2024 Children's Behavioral Health Strategic Plan, according to a recent report. Many of the recommendations focus on increasing access to services that keep children in their homes or communities instead of institutional settings.

Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital Dr. Peter Hotez shares his thoughts on changes to the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. He also offers advice on where parents can go for credible guidance on whether and when to get their children vaccinated.

About 1 million Texans with ACA health plans are over the age of 45, and many of them will pay monthly premiums that are more than $1,000.