ACA Marketplace enrollment is almost over. These North Texas groups can help pick a plan Open enrollment ends Jan. 15. Groups including LBU Community Clinic, Prism Health North Texas and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas offer help navigating the ACA marketplace.

Tomorrow's the deadline for ACA Marketplace enrollment and as of last week, Texas already surpassed its record enrollment numbers from last year. www.keranews.org/health-welln...

What the new medical debt-credit report rule could mean for patients, health industry The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's move could lead to providers seeking high payments before treatment, an economist warns. A health scholar says it could protect patients' financial futures.

Last week, the CFPB announced a new rule that would remove medical debt from individuals' credit reports.

This week, I'm looking for North Texans who this rule change might affect. If that's you or someone you know, reach out! kbroussard@kera.org
www.keranews.org/2025-01-08/w...

U.S. Supreme Court takes up gender-affirming care bans as lawsuits hang over Texas doctors A case surrounding Tennessee's ban on certain gender-affirming care for minors could set precedents for other states that have bans in place, including Texas, where three doctors are being sued for al...

Today the U.S. Supreme Court takes up a landmark case re: state bans on gender-affirming care for minors. I discussed the impact an eventual decision could have on states like Texas, where AG Ken Paxton has sued 3 doctors for violating the state's ban. www.keranews.org/health-welln...

Dallas County-based Senior Source offers free assistance for Medicare enrollment With just days before open enrollment ends, The Senior Source is helping people avoid scams and make informed choices when enrolling in Medicare or other insurance programs.

Saturday's the deadline for Medicare open enrollment. I chatted with leaders of the Dallas-based Senior Source about the confusion and scams that accompany the process -- and how older adults can get help. www.keranews.org/health-welln...

Texas Legislature shifts right: What that means for the LGBTQ community Last session Texas GOP lawmakers passed a drag bill, a ban on gender-affirming surgery and other legislation targeting the LGBTQ community. With the Republican Party growing more conservative after th...

The Texas Legislature just shifted even further to the right. What that means for the LGBTQ community? www.kut.org/politics/202...

A Third Woman Died Under Texas’ Abortion Ban. Doctors Are Avoiding D&Cs and Reaching for Riskier Miscarriage Treatments. Thirty-five-year-old Porsha Ngumezi’s case raises questions about how abortion bans are pressuring doctors to avoid standard care even in straightforward miscarriages.

Another "preventable" death in Texas: "Hope’s youngest son didn’t understand that his mom was gone. Porsha’s long hair had been braided, and anytime the toddler saw a woman with braids from afar, he would take off after her, shouting, 'That’s mommy!'" www.propublica.org/article/pors...

Howdy Bluesky! I'm a daily news reporter at KERA (the NPR station of North Texas). I write a little bit of everything, but I especially love writing about North Texas, its past, and the people building its future.
Send tips to mcardona@kera.org
www.keranews.org

Children's Health reports spike in RSV in North Texas as holiday season approaches Children's Health reported a 67% jump in RSV cases between the first and second full weeks of this month as the region experiences colder weather and cold and flu season begins.

Children's Health reported a jump in RSV cases last week. I spoke to doctors about what that means and how to protect loved ones.
www.keranews.org/health-welln...

Thanks to @ryanbeckwith.bsky.social for the chance to chat about my career and humble beginnings at UL Lafayette ✨

Federal, state politics could spell 'red sky' for public health, Texas vaccine policy experts say Distrust surrounding vaccines and President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to oversee public health took center stage at a vaccine policy symposium on Friday.

Folks with the Baker Institute, The Immunization Project and more described their concerns — and hopes — about the outlook of public health policy ahead of the Texas Lege and a second Trump administration.
www.keranews.org/health-welln...

Women stock up on abortion pills and Plan B, fearing new restrictions under Trump Telehealth providers say requests for the pills have spiked since the election. Patients and doctors worry what a Trump presidency could mean for medical abortion and emergency contraception.

Telehealth providers say requests for the pills have spiked since the election. Patients and doctors worry what a Trump presidency could mean for medical abortion and emergency contraception.

How the CDC could change under the next Trump administration If the new administration embraces proposals to cut the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's budget and its mission, the public health agency could look very different than it does today.

If the new administration embraces proposals to cut the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's budget and its mission, the public health agency could look very different than it does today.

What should journalists do when the facts don’t matter? "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink...Journalists need to understand how distributing true and useful information out into the world can be its own rewarding service — no matte...

“Ultimately, the First Amendment protects the right of journalists to report, publish, and broadcast, but it can’t force citizens to read, listen, absorb or learn. In that sense, journalism didn’t fail us — we failed journalism.”

www.niemanlab.org/2024/11/what...

both the takes and typos are why I followed you again wdym

Hi Bluesky! I cover all things health for KERA News in DFW. I want to hear what's on your mind, including:
🏥 Gaps in access to health care
📒 Insurance including Medicare, Medicaid
🧠 Mental health
🏳️‍⚧️ Gender-affirming care

And more! DM me or email kbroussard at kera dot org.

To the 3-4 other Kailey Broussards in the world: I beat you to this username, sorry