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5 Healthcare Policies Texas Democrats and Republicans Agree On

Common Ground Spotlight

5 Healthcare Policies Texas Democrats and Republicans Agree On

By Alex Buscemi • September 9, 2025

Texas faces real healthcare strain—from hospital closures to families delaying care. Builders highlights five practical policies that Texans across party lines already support.

Price transparency: up-front estimates for non-emergencies (HB 1314) so families can plan and compare.

More mental-health access: allow licensed out-of-state counselors (incl. telehealth) to serve Texans.

Cap out-of-pocket costs: limit what people pay for life-saving meds like insulin and inhalers.

Pharmacist test & treat: enable pharmacies to handle common illnesses (strep, flu, UTI), especially for rural access.

Medicaid expansion support: broad citizen backing—vital for keeping rural hospitals open.

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NEWS, RESEARCH AND REPORTS THECHANGELAB NEWS, RESEARCH AND REPORTS THECHANGELAB

Climate emotions, thoughts, and plans

Highlights

Why it matters: Youth report widespread climate distress; higher severe‑weather exposure aligns with stronger distress and desire for action. Use this to normalize feelings, add supports, and create constructive action pathways.

Use in programs: Pair discussions about emotions with coping tools and a short local action step; invite cross‑viewpoint dialogue to reduce polarization.

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The Change Lab — U.S. Civic Landscape Report

This report quantifies the civic landscape across The Change Lab’s seven focus areas using IRS/NTEE–anchored directories (Cause IQ), labor statistics (BLS), and national volunteering data (AmeriCorps/Census). Within each focus area, we selected disjoint categories to minimize double counting. Cross‑domain overlap still exists; treat these figures as a conservative floor.

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A Blueprint for Government That Actually Works for People

Government policies often sound great in meetings but fail when real families try to use them. A healthcare policy might work perfectly on paper but be impossible to navigate if you're a single parent working two jobs. This research shows leaders how to design policies by starting with people's actual experiences, testing ideas small before rolling them out, and improving based on feedback from real users. When policies work for everyday people, democracy gets stronger.

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RESEARCH AND REPORTS THECHANGELAB RESEARCH AND REPORTS THECHANGELAB

A New National Narrative

Without a shared story built on democratic ideals, public cohesion and collective action weaken. Amid rising polarization and authoritarian threats, a revitalized narrative rooted in civic values provides the social glue and moral framework to sustain democratic governance and shared purpose.

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Well‑Being and Well‑Becoming Through the Arts

As schools cut arts programming, after-school and community-based programs fill critical gaps—especially in low-income areas. These programs offer young people creative spaces to build confidence, joy, cultural pride, and future pathways Wallace Foundation. The report shows arts are not a luxury—they’re a vital part of youth wellness and civic growth.

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RESEARCH AND REPORTS THECHANGELAB RESEARCH AND REPORTS THECHANGELAB

Research Resource: Weaving the Dream

This 2025 report from More in Common’s Beacon Project explores how Americans across political, racial, and generational lines share a belief in “morally directed agency”—the idea that individuals have both the right and responsibility to improve their lives and contribute to their communities. Drawing on surveys of over 60,000 people and in-depth interviews, the report reveals that most Americans value personal agency alongside a desire for systems that provide opportunity. It proposes a unifying civic vision rooted in empowerment, shared purpose, and mutual obligation.

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RESEARCH AND REPORTS THECHANGELAB RESEARCH AND REPORTS THECHANGELAB

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2025 Results

As one of the fastest-growing metropolitan regions in the United States, Greater Houston has added over 1.5 million new residents since 2010. The 2025 Kinder Houston Area Survey captures the voices of nearly 10,000 individuals across Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties — offering a revealing look into what residents love about Houston and the barriers that threaten its future success.

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