Research Library

Vaccines are one of the most successful and significant public health measures in the 20th century. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, they have become more politicized. A new Science and Technology Program report analyzes the vaccine-voting records of state legislators with health backgrounds, finding that party affiliation is a significant predictor of voting behavior.

Texas can counter rising health care costs and declining health outcomes by investing more of its annual $46 billion health care budget on non-medical services that address the social, economic, and environmental conditions affecting Texans’ health. Read about it in this new policy brief.

The U.S. health care system is grappling with a severe labor shortage, worsened by the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and an aging population. A new report from the Center for the U.S and Mexico offers recommendations to address the sector’s needs, including expanding visa availability, reforming occupational licensing, specializing recruitment, and streamlining the immigration process.

Tackling the U.S. epidemic of drug-related death, harm, and addiction requires immediate action from federal and local policymakers and agencies to increase access to lifesaving services. It also requires a genuine commitment to a society that offers Americans a real shot at a healthy and meaningful life, writes Katharine Neill Harris.

Reproductive health care, which encompasses preventative screenings, family planning, and contraceptive access, is becoming increasingly inaccessible in Texas due to restrictive abortion policies. A new brief by nonresident fellow McClain Sampson and coauthor Priscilla Kennedy examines how these policies exacerbate health disparities across the state and suggests ways to make comprehensive reproductive care more accessible to Texans.

Health care providers now screen patients for social determinants of health, also known as non-medical drivers of health, and many rely on referrals to community-based organizations (CBOs) to address those needs. Strengthening CBOs and enhancing collaboration with health care organizations is essential. In a new brief, nonresident fellow Dr. Sheela Gavvala and co-authors offer policy recommendations to close the loop and ensure patients receive the care they need within a cohesive system.

A recent Congressional Budget Office report predicts a significant increase in immigration that could boost federal revenue by nearly $1 trillion over the next decade. A new brief by Bill King, John W. Diamond, and Joyce Beebe examines the federal budget benefits and potential state and local financial strains, while urging policymakers to focus on long-term economic growth and meaningful measures for standards of living beyond short-term GDP gains.

This report highlights opportunities for Texas policymakers to support the integration of non-medical services into health care delivery to improve health outcomes and enhance the value of the state’s spending.

The prices of U.S. hospital services have surged exponentially over the last two decades, outpacing inflation and rates of other medical services. A new report by Derek Jenkins, Sasathorn Tapaneeyakul, and Vivian Ho unpacks whether rising operational costs justify increased prices or if hospital profits are driving this price escalation.

Treatment advances over the past decade offer new medications and procedures to combat the growing problem of childhood obesity. In a new brief, nonresident fellow Dr. Sheela Gavvala and coauthors provide policy options and recommendations to encourage evolution in the state’s approach to this important health issue, ensuring a healthier and more prosperous future for all Texans.