Public Health Watch

09/08/2026

Some seniors in the Rio Grande Valley must choose between food and air conditioning during the hottest months because of rising energy costs. "We either pay the electric bill or we eat," 80-year-old Arturo Gomez tells his wife. Part 2 of "Powerless."

Summer heat is becoming more deadly for the elderly in South Texas with record-breaking temperatures and rising costs for electricity. This is the installment in an ongoing series, "Powerless."

09/08/2026

The latest in our series "Powerless": For elderly people in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, the combined stress of rising heat and electricity costs can be deadly.

Summer heat is becoming more deadly for the elderly in South Texas with record-breaking temperatures and rising costs for electricity. This is the installment in an ongoing series, "Powerless."

09/04/2026

A survey of residents in five counties finds costs, access and delays in getting treatment are putting people at risk.

A survey of residents in five counties finds costs, access and delays in getting treatment are putting people at risk.

09/02/2026

Rates are now the highest they've been in nearly 50 years among veteran coal miners. Mining experts blame toxic silica dust, now more common in mines.

08/27/2026

NEW series debuts today: “Powerless,” which examines how rising temperatures and skyrocketing electricity costs are placing Texans in danger.

This is the first installment of “Powerless,” a series from Public Health Watch examining how rising temperatures and skyrocketing electricity costs are placing Texans in danger.

08/25/2026

From Stateline: Derrick Clark, of rural MS, has Type 2 diabetes but no health insurance. He had to drop Obamacare when enhanced subsidies ended this year. His income is small yet he's ineligible for Medicaid. He joins many more MS residents now struggling to find care.

The end of federal aid pushed millions off Obamacare, but Mississippians have been hit especially hard.

08/20/2026

In 2005, Southeast Texas witnessed one of the worst-executed mass evacuations in American history. More than 100 people died from heat-stroke, dehydration and tragic accidents in the process. Have disaster response agencies learned their lesson since? Gulf Coast Protection District Houston-Galveston Area Council

In 2005, Southeast Texas witnessed one of the worst-executed mass evacuations in American history. Have disaster response agencies learned their lesson?

08/18/2026

Public Health Watch is five years old today. Some thoughts from our founder and executive director.

Public Health Watch turns five years old today, with a proven record of investigative journalism that changes lives.

08/14/2026

PHW has won two national Edward R. Murrow awards, for "Uninsured in America" and "Fumed." Full list of winners here:

Congratulations to all national winners of the 2026 Edward R. Murrow Awards! We look forward to celebrating with you at the Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala on Oct. 12 at Gotham Hall in New York City.

08/05/2026

Medicaid is being reshaped in Indiana, and the pace will pick up with work requirements, more frequent eligibility reviews and other changes likely to further cut Medicaid rolls. What will be the cost in Hoosiers' health? The final story in a series...

New work requirements, more frequent eligibility reviews and other policy changes will reshape Medicaid for many Hoosiers beginning in 2027.