Texas House Women's Health Caucus

Chair Donna Howard joined the Pink Granite Foundation’s Party with a Purpose in honor of World Ovarian Day. In 2025, ovarian cancer was 5th leading cause of cancer death in TX. We will continue to work to increase access to women’s health services, including cancer screening and treatment.

Once again, anti-abortion judges have recklessly restricted access to essential women’s health services. The attacks on our autonomy and freedom must end. Our lives are at stake. TWHC Chair Donna Howard and HDC chair Gene Wu for State Representative 137 statement issued the statements below.

Enraged by this, the women of the Italian Parliament wore jeans in protest to challenge harmful myths about sexual violence. In honor of this gesture, Peace Over Violence launched Denim Day in 1999. Today, we wear denim to advocate for change and stand in solidarity with survivors.

Thank you to Ascension Seton for giving Chair Donna Howard and Caucus member staff a tour of the new Women’s Health Tower at the Seton Medical Center in Central Austin. This new tower will ensure Texans, regardless of income, have access to the best level of care in Austin. We are excited to celebrate the grand opening and see the completed hospital in the coming months!

Doulas and midwives have provided necessary maternal healthcare support for centuries. Today, we want to take a moment to remember the role they have played throughout history and uplift organizations advocating for policy changes that will ensure more women have access to doulas and midwives. The research is clear - families who have support from a doula or midwife have better maternal and child health outcomes. Together, they provide moms with guidance, support, protection, and advocacy.

From forced experimentation and segregated hospitals to unconscious bias and unequal pain management, Black women have faced a healthcare system that undervalues their lives for too long.

This Black History Month, we want to recognize the historical failings that have led to the disparities Black women currently endure in health care and uplift the organizations focused on creating a safer, healthier future for Black moms and their families.

This Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to give yourself a little love, too. Texas continues to rank among the states with the highest number of newly reported STIs. HPV, the most common STI, is linked to nearly all cervical cancer cases. The good news? HPV is highly preventable with vaccination and routine screening.

Protect your health. Schedule your screening today! 💕

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the Black community by uplifting Black voices & is an opportunity to honor the shared lived experiences of Black people by recognizing how history continues to impact their lives today. This month, our Caucus will share the stories of Black leaders who continue to inspire us and will explore the intersection of Black history, reproductive healthcare, and maternal health outcomes. To learn more about our first featured hero, please visit: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/law-thelma-adele-patten

Friday was Maternal Health Awareness Day, but we know that everyday in Texas should be maternal health awareness day because we are in the midst of a maternal health crisis. Our state consistently has some of the worst maternal and child health outcomes in the country. In fact, last year we received a “D” rating in maternal and child health by the . In honor of Maternal Health Awareness Day, we want to bring attention to this crisis and provide resources to help pregnant moms access vital prenatal care services.