What’s at Stake for Physicians and Patients in the 2026 Primary Election?

What physicians and patients should be watching

Even in districts without contested primaries, physicians and patients have a stake in who advances and ultimately serves in the Texas Legislature.

With an eye toward the 2027 session, the Harris County Medical Society has identified five health care issues that make this primary election especially important.

1. Physician autonomy and who controls medical decisions
Medical decisions should be made by physicians and patients—not insurers, corporations, or algorithms.
Why it’s important:
• Health plans increasingly influence care through prior authorization, utilization review, and administrative barriers
• Corporate and nonmedical entities can pressure clinical decision-making
• Preserving physician autonomy protects patient safety and individualized care
What do the candidates say: Does the candidate support keeping medical decision-making in the hands of physicians—or defer to insurers and large institutions in the name of cost control?


2. Scope of practice and sustainable access to care
Texas faces real access challenges, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas—but not all proposed solutions improve care or protect patients.
Why it’s important:
• Expanding physician retention and practice sustainability strengthens access long term
• Scope-of-practice expansions are often framed as simple solutions but can compromise quality and continuity of care
• Practice viability is essential to keeping care available in underserved communities and encouraging quality physicians to come to Texas
What do the candidates say: Does the candidate support physician-led care and sustainable workforce solutions—or rely primarily on scope-expansion rhetoric?


3. Real access to care for vulnerable patients
Access to care is about more than coverage—it’s also about whether patients can actually see a physician when they need care.
Why it’s important:
• Payment policy affects which practices can remain open
• Workforce, coverage, and network adequacy issues intersect most acutely for vulnerable populations
• Access challenges are amplified in underserved and high-need communities
What do the candidates say: Does the candidate understand access as a system-wide issue requiring physician participation—or reduce it to slogans and short-term fixes.


4. Protecting Texas’ Medical Liability (Tort Reform) System
Texas’ 2003 medical liability reforms are foundational to access to care across the state.
Why it’s important:
• Stable liability laws help keep physicians practicing in Texas
• Reforms protect access to care, particularly in rural areas and high-risk specialties
• Weakening tort reform increases costs and drives physicians out of communities
What do the candidates say: Does the candidate support maintaining Texas’ current liability framework—or signal openness to changes that could increase litigation and reduce access?


5. Use of artificial intelligence in health care
Artificial intelligence is changing health care rapidly, often ahead of clear rules and safeguards.
Why it’s important:
• AI can reduce administrative burden when used appropriately
• Insurers are increasingly using AI to automate coverage and payment decisions
• Physicians support AI as a tool to assist care—not replace medical judgment
What do the candidates say: Does the candidate recognize the need for state level physician oversight, transparency, and patient protections in the use of AI in Texas?

This information is provided for educational purposes only. The Harris County Medical Society does not endorse or oppose candidates