Texas Standard for Nov. 22, 2022: Low-income hospital patients not getting the financial assistance they need

High unexpected medical bills can leave patients in a lurch, as well as add to stress.

By Texas StandardNovember 22, 2022 9:35 am,

Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022.

Hospital patients in need aren’t getting the financial assistance they need

Unexpected medical bills can wreak financial havoc, especially among the 26 million people in the U.S. without health insurance. Still, even for those with coverage, a surprise bill can be a huge setback. For low-income patients and the uninsured, financial aid programs from nonprofit hospitals can be a lifeline – if they can get approved. Melanie Evans, who co-reported the story, joins us today.

The growing spike in nursing vacancies

Vacant positions for registered nurses in Texas have more than tripled since the pandemic started, spiking from 6% in 2019 to 17% now. Houston Public Media’s Sara Willa Ernst explains what the latest state data shows us about just how bad the nursing shortage has become.

Beyond football: What else to watch this Thanksgiving

For many of us, a good amount of the Thanksgiving holiday is spent in front of the TV. There are all the old stand-bys, but if you’re looking to mix it up a bit, Caitlin McFarland and Laura Kincaid with the ATX Television Festival are on hand with some suggestions.

The Texas case challenging the Indian Child Welfare Act

Recently the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in a case with roots in Texas that could lead to a longstanding measure meant to protect Native American children as being found unconstitutional. Kate Fort, director of the Indian Law Clinic at Michigan State University College of Law, joins us to talk about the case and its implications.

Mariachi Extravaganza: Meet the competitors of this year’s ‘Mariachi Super Bowl’

Once a year, throngs of young people and their parents head to the Lila Cockrell Theatre on the San Antonio River for an incredibly competitive music competition. Texas Public Radio’s Jack Morgan has more.

Dallas wants to move homeless people from encampments into housing. But trust is in short supply

In Dallas, KERA’s Christopher Connelly reports, the city is increasingly focused on moving people from encampments into housing. But he found that requires trust that often isn’t there.

All this, plus the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Shelly Brisbin with the Talk of Texas.

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