Texas Healthcare Bills to Watch in 2025

Texas Healthcare Bills That Could Change Access in 2025

Healthcare access in Texas is on the line. Lawmakers are debating Medicaid expansion, maternal health, HIV services, and reproductive rights, and these bills could have major consequences for Texans.

Here’s a breakdown of key bills and what they mean:

Medicaid & Maternal Health Bills

🔹 HB 757 – Extending Medicaid for Postpartum Women
Right now, Medicaid coverage for new moms in Texas ends just 60 days after childbirth. HB 757 would extend that coverage, giving postpartum people more time to access care.
✅ Why it matters: Postpartum care is essential for preventing complications, treating conditions like postpartum depression, and reducing maternal mortality.

🔹 HB 1098 – Medicaid Coverage for Abortion, Birth Control, & Sterilization
This bill tackles whether Medicaid and certain health plans can cover abortion, contraception, and sterilization.
✅ Why it matters: Depending on how it’s written, HB 1098 could expand or restrict access to these services, affecting reproductive healthcare for low-income Texans.

🔹 SB 238 – Streamlining Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment
Applying for Medicaid or CHIP is often a complicated process with lots of paperwork. SB 238 would create an Express Lane Eligibility (ELE) system, meaning families already in programs like SNAP (food stamps) could automatically qualify for Medicaid.
✅ Why it matters: More kids and low-income families would get faster, easier access to healthcare.

Reproductive Justice & HIV Bills

🔹 HB 2573 – Medicaid Coverage for Doulas
Doulas provide physical, emotional, and informational support to people during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. HB 2573 would require Medicaid to cover doula services.
✅ Why it matters: Studies show doulas reduce birth complications, lower C-section rates, and improve maternal health outcomes.

🔹 HB 1459 – Changing the Definition of Pregnancy
This bill proposes changing the legal definition of "pregnant" in Texas law.
✅ Why it matters: Changes to medical definitions can influence how reproductive health laws are enforced, potentially affecting abortion access and pregnancy-related care.

🔹 HB 257 – Revisiting Texas Abortion Laws
Texas has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. HB 257 proposes exceptions to certain bans and repeals some restrictions.
✅ Why it matters: This bill could restore access to abortion care in certain cases, which is currently extremely limited in Texas.

Criminal Justice & Healthcare Access

🔹 HB 1737 – Sealing Criminal Records for Misdemeanors
This bill would allow people who successfully complete probation for some misdemeanors to have their records automatically sealed.
✅ Why it matters: Sealing records helps people move forward by making it easier to get jobs, housing, and financial aid.

Voting Access & Health Equity

🔹 SB 16 – Proof of Citizenship to Register to Vote
SB 16 would require Texans registering to vote to provide documentary proof of citizenship (like a passport or certified birth certificate) to their county voter registrar or the Texas DPS. Otherwise, the voter would be barred from voting in all but federal elections (U.S. Senate and House)—not even for President.
✅ Why it matters: Access to the ballot is a crucial part of achieving health equity. This bill could disproportionately impact marginalized communities, including low-income voters and people of color, making it harder for them to have a say in policies that shape their healthcare access.

What Happens Next?

These bills are still being debated, and their fate depends on lawmakers and public pressure. If you care about Medicaid expansion, maternal health, or reproductive justice, now is the time to speak up.

📢 Take action:
✔ Call or email your legislators—Tell them which bills you support or oppose.
✔ Spread the word—Share this post and educate others.
✔ Stay engaged—Follow updates on these bills as they move through the Texas Legislature.

Texas healthcare policies affect real lives—let’s make sure they work for the people who need them most.

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