News

TMA On Tour February 2026 - 03/25/2026

TMA had an active February, staging a conference and traveling en masse to a national advocacy gathering. The association also crisscrossed the state in various ways to reach physicians where they live and further key initiatives aligned with TMA’s mission.

AI Use Among Physicians Has Doubled, AMA Survey Finds - 03/25/2026

New research from the American Medical Association found more than four in five physicians now use AI in their practices, most often to document clinical care and summarize medical research. However, nearly half of survey respondents worry patients may use AI for tasks requiring clinical judgment.

Attend TexMed 2026 for Over 30 Hours of Cutting-Edge CME - 03/24/2026

TexMed 2026’s robust CME topics will focus on leadership and professional development, artificial intelligence, and physician health and wellness, among other topics. Plus, celebrate and socialize with physician peers.

New Types of Medicare Cuts Impact Physician Payment - 03/23/2026

The 2026 Medicare physician fee schedule included a small increase, including a one-time positive payment adjustment, but also included two cuts that could offset those gains. Organized medicine is continuing a dialogue over the changes.

Need Help With Residency Relocation Expenses? TMA Can Help - 03/23/2026

If you found out your residency destination during the recent Match Day but now find yourself scrambling to gather the funds to get there, the Texas Medical Association is here to help you finance the next leg

Highest Share of Federal Rural Funds Going to Texas Public Hospital Districts - 03/20/2026

Texas received the greatest Rural Health Transformation Program award of any state. One physician says by supporting rural hospitals in need, the program has the potential to strengthen Texas’ entire health care system.

New Syphilis Hotline to Help Clinicians Statewide Regardless of Specialty, Case Complexity - 03/19/2026

The Department of State Health Services collaborated with TMA to launch the resource, meant to facilitate help from expert consultants as the disease continues to spread. Roughly a quarter of congenital syphilis cases nationwide are diagnosed in Texas.

Appointments Now Open for TexMed 2026 Blood Drive - 03/18/2026

Attendees can roll up their sleeve and give on April 17 or April 18 in Corpus Christi. Appointments and walk-ins are both welcome. The blood drive comes as the state rolls out a statewide prehospital whole blood network.

Future of HHSC, DSHS to Be Determined by Sunset Review - 03/18/2026

Every 12 years, each state agency is subject to a sunset review process culminating with the Texas Legislature authorizing its continuation. TMA is providing initial input on two entities instrumental to the state’s health infrastructure.

HPV Vaccines Key to Texas’ Improvement in Cervical Cancer - 03/17/2026

Since the human papillomavirus vaccine was made available in 2006, cervical cancer incidence rates are down 27% nationally and 17% in Texas, according to a new study. Researchers say vaccine uptake is higher with physician recommendation.

Hep B Vaccination Rates Decline Nationally, Mirroring Texas Trends - 03/16/2026

World Health Organization data shows a double-digit drop in hepatitis B vaccination rates since 2023. More Texas school children are also showing up for class without the vaccine.

WISeR Online Prior Auth Process for Original Medicare Shows Promise - 03/16/2026

To educate physicians on the progress of Medicare’s new prior authorization pilot, TMA has been in contact with Cohere Health, the technology vendor selected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to manage the program in Texas in partnership with Novitas.

New Medicare Pilot Promotes Technology to Treat Certain Chronic Conditions - 03/16/2026

The program targets high blood pressure, diabetes, musculoskeletal pain, and depression, and encourages the use of wearable devices, including ones patients already have. Physicians have until April 1 to apply for inclusion in July’s initial launch.

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.

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).