News

Voter Registration Deadline on October 5

With the 2026 General Election approaching, Texans should be aware of several key deadlines and updates that may affect how and when they vote. October 5 is the last day to register to vote for the November 3 election or update voter registration information. 

More than 1.2 million Texas voters are currently on the state’s “suspense list.” The Secretary of State’s Office uses the suspense list when election officials have reason to believe that a voter may no longer live at the address associated with their registration. Being placed on the list does not mean a voter has been removed from the rolls or is ineligible to vote, but voters who have moved may need to take additional steps. Texans who have recently changed their name or moved can now update their voter registration information online through Texas.gov before October 5. 

For individuals registering or updating their registration by mail, applications must be postmarked by October 5. Because the U.S. Postal Service has updated its postmarking process and delivery times can vary, voters mailing in their applications are encouraged to send in their materials as early as possible to avoid delays.  

Key Election Dates to Remember:  

• October 5 – Last day to register to vote or update your registration 
• October 19 – First day of early voting 
• October 23 – Last day for a Vote by Mail ballot application to be received 
• October 30 – Last day of early voting 
• November 3 – Election Day and the last day for a Vote by Mail ballot to be received 

Voting is an important opportunity for Texans to have a voice in the decisions that shape their communities. Voters can check their registration status and find their polling locations through the Texas Secretary of State’s My Voter Portal. For nonpartisan, detailed information about what’s on the ballot, how to vote, and what to bring on Election Day, voters can check out the Texas League of Women Voters Voting Guide. 

 ACA Marketplace Coverage Drops in Texas

About 870,000 Texans who selected the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans did not “effectuate” their coverage by paying for their first premium, according to recent federal enrollment data analyzed by Cover Texas Now. Of the 4.17 million Texans who selected a marketplace plan by the end of open enrollment on January 15, only about 3.3 million had activated their coverage by February. The gap is substantially larger than the typical drop between plan selection and effectuated enrollment. The decline comes after enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. While the original ACA tax credits remain available, many Texans who previously benefited from enhanced subsidies faced higher premiums in 2026.  

As more Texans navigate higher insurance costs and coverage losses, the state will continue to feel the impacts of a large uninsured population, including increased pressure on hospitals and other providers from uncompensated care, as well as financial instability for uninsured families. 

Study Finds Delayed FTD Diagnoses Among Hispanic Patients in South Texas

A new study from researchers at UT Health San Antonio found that Hispanic patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in South Texas were diagnosed later and had more advanced disease when they reached specialty care compared with non-Hispanic white patients. The study, published in the Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, examined 17 Hispanic and 22 non-Hispanic white local patients and compared them with a national data set.  



FTD is a rare form of early onset dementia that can initially appear as changes in personality, behavior, judgment, or language rather than memory problems commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that lower educational attainment was significantly associated with delays in diagnosis and suggested that longstanding barriers to early detection and specialized care may contribute to the disparity. The findings highlight the need for greater representation of Hispanic patients in dementia research and improved access to specialized neurological care in South Texas.  

Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Changes to ACA Marketplace Rule  

On August 11, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to pursue changes to childhood vaccine recommendations. The order calls for separating the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three individual shots and administering childhood immunizations at separate visits when feasible. It also directs additional research into vaccine safety and the timing and sequencing of childhood immunizations. 

The order itself does not immediately change the national childhood immunization schedule. Any changes to federal recommendations would require further action by federal health officials and could affect guidance used by healthcare providers and states. States retain authority over school vaccination requirements. The order comes amid declining childhood vaccination rates and ongoing debate over federal vaccine policy.  

With the Texas Legislature set to convene in January 2027, vaccine-policy changes in other states will also be important to monitor. Florida, for example, is considering changes to school vaccination requirements, including a proposal from the state surgeon general to eliminate requirements for several childhood vaccines. These developments may shape future discussions in Texas about school vaccine requirements, school requirements, and public health.   

Hunger Action Month

September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign focused on raising awareness of food insecurity. The San Antonio Food Bank is using the month to highlight ways individuals, employers, and community partners can support food-assistance efforts across the region. 

Food assistance remains an important component of community health, particularly as changes to federal nutrition assistance programs and state-level requirements may affect access for some households. Food banks, pantries, volunteers, and community partners can help families meet immediate food needs while broader policy discussions continue around affordability and long-term food security. 

Nebraska Implements Federal Medicaid Work Requirements

Nebraska became the first state to remove Medicaid expansion enrollees from coverage for failing to meet work requirements when an estimated 200 people were expected to lose coverage on August 1. The state implemented its Medicaid work requirements on May 1, with the August disenrollments marking the first anticipated coverage losses under the policy. Under the new federal law, Medicaid expansion adults who are not exempt generally must work, volunteer, attend school or an apprenticeship, or participate in a work program for at least 80 hours per month. States must implement the new requirements by January 1, 2027, although Nebraska elected to begin earlier 

Because Texas has not expanded Medicaid, the federal Medicaid work requirements would not apply to the state’s traditional Medicaid population in the same way they would in expansion states. Texas has, however, expanded work requirements for certain SNAP recipients in 2025, creating a separate set of eligibility and reporting requirements for some Texans receiving food assistance.  

Most states must implement the requirements by January 1, 2027, making Nebraska’s early implementation an opportunity to monitor how the policy affects Medicaid enrollment and administrative processes. Health policy researchers and advocates have raised concerns that administrative requirements could result in eligible people losing coverage because they failed to complete paperwork or otherwise demonstrate compliance on time. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated the requirements could result in 5.2 million fewer people having Medicaid coverage over 10 years.

Upcoming Events & Hearings

September 29-30 | Texas State of Enrollment Conference

November 1-4 | APHA 2026 Annual Meeting & Expo

November 18-19 | Rural Prosperity: A Texas Tribune Symposium

December 20 | Texas Health Policy Forum

Partner Opportunities & Resources

Sept 30 - Application Deadline | Texas Water Development Fund (DFund) Now Accepting Applications

For more information on health care research, policy, or advocacy, 

please contact Samantha Hernandez at policy@mhm.org.

"Pursuing Health Equity by supporting Resilient Families and Thriving Communities.”