As we wrap up another strong year at the Texas Association of Otolaryngology (TAO), we are pleased to report significant progress on the issues that matter most to our members and the patients we serve. The 89th Texas Legislature proved to be one of the most consequential in recent memory for surgical and specialty-care advocacy, and TAO was engaged on every major policy front - defending patient safety standards, preserving appropriate scope-of-practice boundaries, and ensuring that otolaryngologists maintain a strong, respected voice in the state health policy.
Throughout the 2025 Texas Legislative Session, TAO worked closely with key legislators, health committees, and stakeholder groups to advance and protect policies central to high-quality ENT care. TAO successfully opposed efforts to weaken physician-led care models, including attempts to expand audiology licensure compacts and grant unsupervised diagnostic and prescriptive authority to non-physicians. We also actively supported improvements to Medicaid specialty-care access, advocated for fair prior-authorization reforms, and reinforced the importance of maintaining safe, evidence-based standards for medical care in all practice settings. These efforts helped to ensure that the voices of the Texas otolaryngologists continue to be heard as lawmakers engage in broad debates over patient safety, access to care, and the governance of allied health professions.
Houston Legislative Advocacy Dinner
Earlier this fall, TAO hosted a highly successful legislative advocacy dinner for the Houston Society of Otolaryngology. The event served as a valuable opportunity to walk through TAO's legislative victories over the past two legislative sessions, discuss ongoing regulatory challenges, and highlight the importance of unified ENT representation at the Capitol. The turnout was excellent, and the enthusiasm from Houston physicians was truly energizing. We hope to welcome many new Houston-area otolaryngologists into full TAO membership in the coming year.
TAO Day at the Texas Capitol
In February, the Texas Association of Otolaryngology hosted its second TAO Day at the Texas Capitol. Dr. Esther Cheung Phillips, Dr. Alex McKinley, Dr. Lindsay Young, and Dr. Brad Holland joined the TAO lobby team for a full day of meetings with legislators, committee chairs, and key staff members to reinforce the critical role otolaryngologists play in Texas' healthcare system and highlight our legislative priorities. TAO Day at the Capitol remains one of our most effective tools for visibility and relationship-building, and we encourage all TAO members to participate when the Legislature reconvenes in early 2027.
Looking Ahead
TAO's advocacy strength stems directly from its members' engagement. As we prepare for the upcoming campaign season, Sunset-related reviews, and the next legislative session, your voice will remain essential in helping us protect the practice of otolaryngology and advance patient-centered care across Texas. If you have a policy issue you'd like to present to the legislative affairs team, or if you'd just like to get more involved in TAO's state advocacy efforts, now is a perfect time to do so.
