In Texas, MAHA dreams clash with big-state complications

The state has become a testing ground for a spate of health-related legislative efforts in recent months.

November 8, 2025 Check out STAT+

Sponsored By

What's a five-letter word for a "kayak cousin"? Try your crossword skills in the STAT Mini. Thanks for reading!

Jaime Carrero for STAT In Texas, the nation's MAHA capital, many are frustrated with the status quo in health care Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again movement finds fertile ground as Texans welcome a new approach to long-standing health care issues. By Isabella Cueto Mike Reddy for STAT STAT+ | Not just Rogaine: Biotech investors see promise in a new wave of hair loss treatments Pelage Pharmaceuticals and Veradermics raise a combined $270 million to develop treatments for hair loss, a field long dominated by "lotions and potions." By Allison DeAngelis Markus Schreiber/AP James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers The complicated story of James Watson, whose landmark DNA discovery with Francis Crick was later overshadowed by his deeply offensive remarks By Sharon Begley STAT+ | 7 burning questions about Trump's big deal for cheaper weight loss drugs Trump weight loss drug announcement raises questions on impact on commercial market, role of Medicare negotiations, potential backlash from MAHA By Daniel Payne, Elaine Chen, Damian Garde, and Katie Palmer What is 'fake' CPR, and why do doctors sometimes do it? When CPR is performed to ease family pain, not resuscitate the patient, it's called a 'slow code.' Alex Hogan, host of STATus Report, examines the ethics. By Alex Hogan STAT+ | Experts worry FDA's credibility is being shredded by scandal and 'soap opera' Lawsuit against Tidmarsh latest blow to agency whose credibility has been shredded by infighting, regulatory uncertainty. "Nothing less than a clown show." By Matthew Herper and Lizzy Lawrence Opinion: What will be born of the marriage of de-extinction firm Colossal and animal cloning biotech Viagen? Colossal's purchase of Viagen will help its pursuit of reviving extinct animals — but the ethics and science remain fuzzy. By Paul Knoepfler STAT+ | Microdosing aims to extend the lifespan of the GLP-1 compounding market Telehealth company claims aside, physicians and researchers say there is no robust clinical evidence that semaglutide or tirzepatide are effective at small doses. By Katie Palmer The Americas, led by Canada, is on the brink of losing measles-elimination status This week an expert committee of the Pan American Health Organization is meeting in Mexico City to study measles transmission data from the region. By Helen Branswell

More around STAT

Check out more exclusive coverage with a STAT+ subscription Read premium in-depth biotech, pharma, policy, and life science coverage and analysis with all of our STAT+ articles.

---

Enjoying Weekend Reads? Tell us about your experience Continue reading the latest health & science news with the STAT app Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play

STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2025, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails

Update Newsletter Preferences     •    Contact Us     •    Advertise with Us     •    View in Browser