This year, Texas lawmakers zeroed in on existing health care programs, leaving bolder measures by the wayside

Christa Marek, owner of the Learning Tree child care center in Yoakum, holds her granddaughter at the center on Sept. 13, 2022. (Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune)

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Low-income mothers in Texas won some health gains during this past legislative session, primarily through the expansion of postpartum Medicaid benefits, but overall state lawmakers kept their eyes and dollars focused on law tweaks and boosting dollars to existing health care programs instead of launching sweeping new initiatives.