News

Most Primary Care Physicians Affected by Drug Shortages - 03/10/2026

Eighty-eight percent of clinicians indicated they had encountered medication supply deficits looking back over a six-month window, according to a recent American Medical Association report. Survey results revealed these shortages lead to more prior authorization requests and overtime work.

How to Get Your Medical Practice to Rank in AI Search Results - 03/10/2026

To boost your practice’s visibility in an ever-changing search landscape, start by optimizing your practice’s website for artificial intelligence in addition to traditional search engines.

New Member Benefit Makes Accessing Emerging Medical Research Easy - 03/10/2026

With a TMA membership, physicians can use DeepDyve within the Knowledge Center to quickly locate material that supports both clinical decision-making and professional development – without having to pay for individual subscriptions.

Record Physician License Applications Flood Texas - 03/10/2026

The Texas Medical Board received a record 8,270 license applications during the 2025 fiscal year, marking the third consecutive year the total topped 8,000. The state’s record surge in physician applications coincides with a continued population boom.

Minority Scholarships Help Diversify Texas Physicians - 03/09/2026

The Texas Medical Association created the Minority Scholarship Program in 1998 to help diversify the physician workforce to meet Texans’ health care needs. Since then, it has awarded 136 scholarships totaling $847,500. Students entering medical school in 2019 can apply now.

Apply to Be on the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel - 03/09/2026

The 13-member body determines which risks and hazards related to medical care must be disclosed to patients. Four physicians are being sought to serve a five- or six-year term.

Keep AI in Health Care Physician-Centered, TMA Cautions Feds - 03/05/2026

As the federal government looks to encourage more widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical care, TMA highlights ongoing concerns about interoperability, reliability, and keeping patient data secure.

Krishna Memorial Scholarship Invests in University of Texas’ Future Physicians - 03/04/2026

For two out of three U.S. allopathic medical students, matriculating can come with up to a $300,000 price tag, burdening future physicians with financial woes that can encroach on their education.

More Than Money: Scholarship Helps Medical Students Focus on Training - 03/04/2026

For medical students like John Austin, Alexa Ciarolla, and David Garate, a scholarship means much more than just lightening their financial load. It means connection with and support from the Texas medical community. It means more focus

Advocacy, Passion Motivates Medical Student Scholarship Winners - 03/04/2026

The Harris County Medical Alliance Scholarship has awarded close to half a million dollars in its history. This year, 16 medical students at three Houston schools are receiving scholarships.

New CDC Vaccination Schedule Raises Questions About Legal Risks - 03/04/2026

Updates as of this January show a decrease in recommended child and adult immunizations, which have sparked concerns about changes to informed consent and other potential liability.

Honored by AMA, Dallas Health Authority Reflects on TMA Collaborations - 03/04/2026

Recently presented with an Award for Outstanding Government Service, Philip Huang, MD, believes TMA’s credibility, legislative advocacy and organizational heft played a major role in shaping public health issues.

Students, Residents, Fellows: Apply for Leadership Positions - 03/04/2026

Applications are due March 1, for several leadership positions within the Medical Student Section (TMA-MSS) or Resident and Fellow Section (TMA-RFS).

PBM Consolidation Concerns Medicine for Impacts on Drug Costs, Access - 03/03/2026

Low competition in the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) market may drive higher costs with savings not fully passed to consumers. Medicine is vigilant as state and federal legislators have started addressing the entities’ evolving role.

‘Moderate’ Flu Season Should Not Be Interpreted as Baseline Normal - 03/03/2026

Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows that influenza hospitalizations were up in all age demographics in January. The state’s online dashboard tracker offers timely flu, RSV, and COVID-19 data to help physicians make informed clinical decisions.

AI Tools Not Always Compliant, This Physician Warns - 03/02/2026

Even if an artificial intelligence platform is HIPAA compliant, it is not guaranteed that it will meet certain standards that ensure physicians won’t shoulder the blame for issues that arise from its use.

Cuts to Health Information Technology Regulations Could Endanger Patients - 02/27/2026

Proposed federal changes could significantly reduce regulations placed upon technology developers, TMA warns in a letter to federal officials. Those cuts also would pertain to rules for the information exchange necessary for coordination of care.

NPI Requirements Changing for Off-Campus Outpatient Hospital Departments - 02/26/2026

Starting in 2028, each off-campus outpatient hospital department will need its own National Provider Identifier (NPI) separate from the main hospital’s. Payments to hospitals could be impacted by the policy change, which in turn could affect hospital-employed physicians and practice owners partnering with hospitals.

What to Do If EHR Vendors Prevent Access to Patient Information - 02/25/2026

Patient records can get put in limbo when electronic health record (EHR) vendors go out of business or refuse to transfer records when a physician switches systems. TMA is here with steps physicians can take to protect themselves – and their patients’ data.

Majority of Nurse Practitioners Satisfied with Physician-Led Health Care - 02/25/2026

In an American Medical Association study involving hundreds of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, nearly all found discussing complex cases with physicians to be a benefit.

Early Voting Ends Feb. 27 for the 2026 Primary - 02/25/2026

Let your voice be heard by voting in the upcoming primary, with election day on Tuesday, March 3. Some quick homework will make voting go smoothly.

New Physician Wellness CME Hits TMA Education Center - 02/24/2026

The chair of TMA’s Committee on Physician Health and Wellness believes this could be the most important year yet for physician wellness. Each new CME is developed by member physicians and free to members courtesy of TMA Insurance Trust.

Physicians Must Disclose AI Use Alongside Existing HIPAA Requirements, Per State Laws - 02/23/2026

Texas Senate Bill 1188 and Texas House Bill 149 require physicians to follow certain disclosure requirements when using artificial intelligence (AI). As these laws take effect, Texas physicians should ensure compliance in conjunction with HIPAA mandates.

TMA Scholarships to Help Three Students Further Their Medical Dreams - 02/23/2026

Three Texas medical students have each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Texas Medical Association’s 50-Year Club Scholarship Fund in recognition of their outstanding academic performance.

Network Adequacy Enforcement Paused for State-Regulated PPOs and EPOs - 02/23/2026

A dispute between the Texas Department of Insurance and Texas Association of Health Plans has reopened rulemaking connected to a 2023 network adequacy law. TMA, which supported that law’s passage, will weigh in on the process.