- Coming up on "Austin InSight."

On again, off again, school closures, an update on Austin ISD's consolidation plan and a local startup hoping to be flush with success.

That's next on "Austin InSight."

- [Narrator] Support for "Austin InSight" comes from Sally & James Gavin, and also from Daniel L. Skret.

(soothing melodic music) (soothing melodic music continues) - Hi there, and thanks for joining us.

I'm Laura Laughead.

School closure whiplash in a surprising but, for many parents, welcome reversal, Austin ISD has changed its recommendations on school closings and boundary lines.

Three schools out of 13 that were set to close in the original plan are now off the list.

Bryker Woods, Maplewood, and Palm Elementary Schools are no longer on the proposed closures list, but 10 other schools remain.

Also, newly drawn boundary lines for most of the district's 116 schools will now be delayed.

The revised plan follows protests and vocal opposition from parents and some school staff.

- [Traci] I keep hearing that a school is more than a building.

Okay, I agree with that.

But a big part of what a school is is the staff that take care of the kids.

(attendees cheering and clapping) - I heard you say like that's inefficiency.

We're efficient.

We cost 21% less than the average.

(attendees cheering and clapping) You mentioned Campbell and the equity there, and the special culture, and not wanting to move data.

You mentioned data about not wanting to move underserved kids.

We have just as many underserved kids here as at Campbell.

(attendees cheering and clapping) And so, can you just say in like a sentence, why are you closing this amazing, efficient, A-rated school?

(attendees clapping) - The Austin ISD School Board is still set to vote on the new plan on November 20th.

Joining us now is District 1 School Board Member, Candace Hunter.

Candace, thanks so much for being here.

- Thank you for having me.

- Candace, it must feel like whiplash to many parents, as well as the staff of the three schools now off the closure list.

What is your understanding of the reasons for the reversal from the first plan draft?

- I can't go into personnel matters, but what I can tell you is that the superintendent had some questions about the authenticity of all the information that he received.

And because he could not trust everything, he really wants to go back and verify and make sure that the information he received is actually what is present in all of the documents.

- And regarding the new school boundary lines, what changed that made the district suggest postponing this, more time for community input?

- As I understand it, the administration has been doing several things at once.

So, they did what's called turnaround plans, the TAP plans, they were doing boundaries, and then they were doing the three schools that are not attached to a turnaround plan, which is required by TEA.

They really feel comfortable about the turnaround plans because that was handled by a different, I wanna say department to better help you understand.

And the other two plans were done by like another group.

And that's the problem where the superintendent really wants to go back and make sure that voice was heard from every community member, that nothing was lost, that nothing was represented in a way that people didn't intend it.

And so, that's why the split.

- Now, there were questions about the lack of clarity on the timing for these changes in the revised plan.

Is that a concern, and do you think that this new plan will have enough votes to pass?

- So, because the plans were one but attached, there are parts.

Will it pass or not, I'm one of nine votes.

I know how I'm going to vote.

I still have questions, and we still have an opportunity to answer more questions.

And even on the day of the vote, we can get more answers.

And so, that's how I'm going to lean into like getting all of the information and getting all my questions answered.

The timing is not great.

Austin ISD needs comprehensive change.

That's why the boundaries, that's why looking at schools, we can't have all of these buildings that are half full.

That costs money.

- What are your biggest concerns about these closures?

- My biggest concern right now is that the communities that always are shouldering the closures are again continuing to shoulder the closures.

And I get it, I'm District 1, we're 28 schools.

That's East and Northeast Austin.

It's where the district began.

So, we have the most schools.

Unfortunately, it is also the most rapidly gentrifying area.

And so, we have a lot of people who just aren't having kids.

And those who are, sometimes don't choose to send their kids to Austin ISD.

- The district's budget problems that have led to this are not new, and neither are some of the root causes, which include underfunding from the state according to public school advocates.

But in your view, how did we end up in this situation?

- Honestly, if I'm just being really honest with you, there's a basic level of education that every district provides for their children, right?

We have arts academies, we have science academies, we have AP classes, we have on-ramps.

We have all of these wonderful things that people have gotten used to.

Those things don't happen in a vacuum.

They happen because we fund them, and we fund them even though the state underfunds us.

We're at a point now we can't continue to do that.

We just can't.

- As you think about the 10 schools still on that list for closing, what do you ultimately hope comes from this transition?

- We have to realign our district.

The reason those schools are in a turnaround plan is because the state of Texas has deemed them unacceptable, which we call a UA.

Some of them are two and three UA, which means they've not passed, or the state gives them an F. What I want is that every child have a great education in Austin ISD.

Now, I'm not saying I want every child to be in an A school or a B school because that doesn't really tell you what's happening in the school.

That tells you what happened on one day during the STAAR test for those children.

That's what that letter tells you.

It does not tell you what's happening the other 170-something days of the year.

- Well, certainly the STAAR test has been very unpopular.

We've heard from a number of students and advocates, and I know there are tough decisions ahead for you and your fellow board members.

Austin ISD School Board Member for District 1, Candace Hunter, thank you so much for being with us and sharing your perspective.

- Thank you so much.

(mellow melodic music) - Meanwhile, 4 million Texans could soon see a big increase in their health insurance costs.

It's a price so high that about half a million people risk losing their coverage altogether according to experts, and in a state that already has the nation's largest uninsured population.

We're talking about people who get their insurance through the Affordable Care Act, the ACA.

The price hike is due to the pending end of some federal government subsidies, or tax credits.

The debate over extending these subsidies has resulted in the current government shutdown.

Here in Central Texas, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties, nearly a quarter million people are on ACA plans.

That includes Austin resident, Yulissa Chavez.

She says her current plan will increase by almost $1,500 a year, and her story is just one of many.

- I, as a person with multiple disabilities, it's not an option.

I need specific medications in order to be able to live in my community and thrive in it.

If we don't take this seriously and we don't urge our government to not let this expire, then we're gonna be looking at a depleting workforce.

My full-time job, I work at a nonprofit where I help other people.

If I'm not healthy and if I'm not taking care of myself, I can't take care of my work.

I can't help other people.

And I believe that healthcare is a human necessity.

We all need one time or another to visit a doctor.

We need medication.

I'm really scared that people like myself, and my friends, and my family are going to pick the basic necessities, like food and shelter, before their health needs.

And ultimately, that's going to lead to a lot of people suffering.

A lot of people maybe being on their deathbed because they had to choose between food, shelter, or their health insurance.

And a country as wealthy as ours, as talented as ours, this shouldn't even be a question.

Texans deserve so much better than this.

- More now on the health insurance price hikes from Rachel Blair, the Chief Strategy Officer at the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, an innovative nonprofit that helps people in the local music community access healthcare.

Rachel, thanks so much for being here.

- Thanks for having me.

- Rachel, you and your team are very well-versed in the ins and outs of the ACA.

What impact are you seeing from cost increases so far this year?

- Costs in the ACA have definitely increased.

Our musician members are feeling that.

We are here to help them and walk them through the complicated changes that have come this fall.

- And your work, like you said, specifically focuses on helping our music community.

But this problem is, of course, broad-based.

- That's right.

- According to data from a coalition of advocates called Keeping Americans Covered, in the two congressional districts that include Austin, more than 154,000 people receive these tax credits.

So, in simple terms, how do these tax credits work, and what are the consequences if they're not extended?

- Tax credits offset monthly insurance premium costs.

So, if your insurance costs $1,000 a month, and you are at 150% of the federal poverty level, you might get $850 off of that monthly insurance bill last year, or in the plan year 2025.

In 2026, the tax credit that reduces your health insurance premium is going to reduce, making your premium go up.

Not only that, insurance companies have increased the premium prices.

So, we're seeing anywhere between 15 and 30% of premiums increase, and as well as tax credits going down, which means more money out of the pockets of people who really can't afford it.

- So, what happens for these people if these tax credits aren't extended?

- For HAAM members, they get to come through our open enrollment process.

We have trained navigators through our partners with Foundation Communities and our own staff, and we really walk people through these plan choices.

Everyone as they're picking an insurance product has to try to figure out how much am I willing to pay and how much can I pay every month for a premium, and then what are my costs inside my plan?

So, picking deductibles, copays, coinsurance and whatnot.

You've gotta be able to afford your premium though, and that's the trick with the tax credits where they are now.

And just to clarify, during COVID there was, there were increased tax credits to help make insurance premiums be more affordable.

Those were set to expire at the end of this year without them being renewed.

So, we're not talking about all tax credits going away, we're talking about the enhanced tax credits going away.

But between the enhanced tax credits going away and the rising premiums, consumers definitely have sticker shock.

- What is your biggest concern right now?

It's a pretty complicated situation for many.

Are people gonna end up without coverage?

Are people going to have to make really, really tough choices between insurance and food and shelter?

- My biggest concern right now during open enrollment is that people will hear these messages about increased premiums and self-select out, that they won't go through the enrollment process and they won't see what's available to them.

So, while there are steep increases for some, there are also tax credits and affordable premiums for others.

So, typically the less you make within the ACA the more help you get, and that's true this year.

So, we really, really wanna encourage people to come through the open enrollment process.

If you're a musician, come join HAAM.

We will walk you through it.

We have wonderful friendly folks who are experts, who are really skilled at taking something complicated and distilling it down to its simplest essence.

If you're a community member and you're not a musician, you can go to Foundation Communities or other places.

You can go to the HealthCare.gov website and shop around.

We really don't want folks to go uninsured next year without doing their research first.

- It's so great to know that there are organizations like yourself that are helping our music community and others 'cause there's so many people in this situation.

Rachel, HAAM's role in supporting the people who make up our music scene is a vital service to Austin.

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise on the ACA tax credits.

- Absolutely.

(mellow melodic music) - This week marks Veterans Day.

As we honor our service members it's important to note there are key challenges, including access to legal services.

Here in Texas, programs like Veterans Legal Aid Week help provide free civil legal services to veterans in need.

For more about supporting our veterans we have the Executive Director of the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, Betty Balli Torres, and State Supreme Court Justice, Brett Busby, who works with the foundation.

Thank you both for being with us today.

- Well, thank you.

- Thank you for having us.

- So, first let's start with Betty.

We know many veterans face a number of hardships in this country.

We tend to think of access to mental health resources or housing first, but what would you say are the most common legal service issues facing Texas veterans?

- Texas veterans face several issues, and some of it actually relates to trying to access the benefits, the benefits, the VA benefits that they earned and that they deserve.

And sometimes they're not able to do that.

And so, legal intervention is often helpful.

Oftentimes, they also face issues relating to housing, to the family law issues, are some of the more common issues faced by veterans.

- And the Legal Aid Week program put on by the foundation highlights these services.

Justice Busby, can you tell us more about that?

What's the mission overall of this week?

- Sure.

So, veterans have sacrificed so much for us and we, at the Texas Supreme Court, want to be sure that the legal profession is there for them to help meet these critical needs.

And so, this last legislative session the court sought $7 million in our budget to help provide veterans free veterans legal services for veterans in need.

And the legislature approved that funding.

And then this past week the court approved seven, granting those funds out to 13 legal aid providers all around the state who are going to put that money to work helping veterans.

- And what qualifies veterans to receive this support?

- So, I think one important thing to note is that these services are free, but there is an eligibility requirement.

And so, a veteran, and let me also say that it's veterans and their immediate family members are eligible.

And so, to qualify it would be up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

- I see.

And so, how though can beyond this week and Veterans Day can these eligible veterans access legal support year round?

- They, so we're just highlighting our services this week.

The reality is is that providing services to veterans is in our DNA.

And we do that day in and day out throughout the year.

And so, they can do, there's a couple ways to do this.

There's many, actually many ways, but one of the easy ways is to call 1-800-622-2520.

And you press option 2 to speak to someone about services.

And another one is to go to www.texaslawhelp.org, and there you will be able to enter your zip code and you'll be able to see what program is able to provide services to you.

- And can you give us an example of kind of a typical case for y'all?

And I know both of you can attest, anything in the legal system does take a bit of time.

How long are you typically working with each of the veterans and veterans' family you support?

- It depends on the services that they need how long it might take.

Sometimes it's just talking to a caseworker at the VA to try to be sure that their application for benefits receives the proper consideration.

Sometimes it's negotiating with a landlord or with an employer.

Say if somebody has a service-connected disability, for example, and is having some issues with work, or if somebody is, needs to be absent from work in order to, if they're in the reserves and need to be called up and have an absence from work, that's another example.

So, each case really depends how long it's gonna take on what's going on in the individual case.

Sometimes the lawyers who are helping are able to negotiate a resolution without going to court, and then sometimes it involves representation in court.

- And on a personal level, why is this particular need among our veterans so important for each of you?

- Well, I'm an Air Force brat.

And so, I, you know, my dad served in Korea, he served in Vietnam.

And I know firsthand that when a family member serves the entire family serves.

And so, our veterans sacrifice so much, and so do the family members.

And that is why personally it's important to me.

- And for me, both my father and my, both my grandfathers served.

And so, this is a way that we can give back to the people who've sacrificed so much for us and ensure that they receive the benefits that they're entitled to and are able to navigate our legal system and have their issues fairly heard in the court system.

And it's also a great way, not only for us at the Supreme Court and for the legislature, but also for all lawyers around the state to help and come together because a lot of lawyers around the state will provide pro bono legal services.

Even those who are in private law firms and don't work for legal aid will often take on cases helping veterans.

And so, it's a great way that we, as the whole legal profession, can come together and help.

- And it's something that is so important clearly, but not a lot of people think of unless they have a veteran in their life.

It's something so important that is lost on some, and I'm so glad that we can highlight that this week.

I know, like both of y'all, this is near and dear to my heart.

Multiple family members in my immediate family have served as well, and I know so many of those watching at home.

Well, Betty Balli Torres with the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, and Justice Busby, thank you both for explaining these resources for veterans here in Texas for Veterans Day and beyond.

- Thank you for having us.

- Thank you for having us.

(mellow melodic music) - From the dot-com boom to Dell computers to social media, Austin is an established home for tech innovation.

But can gut instinct, or more accurately, gut information lead to startup success?

That question is being answered by the team at Throne Science with a product that's sort of a Fitbit for your toilet.

No, really, take a look.

(TV rattling and humming) (gentle mellow music) (toilet flushing) With one flush, this scene from 1960's "Psycho" made toilet history.

Never before had a movie shown a toilet being flushed so prominently on screen.

(toilet flushing) But the future of toilet history may lie in one Austin startup, aptly called Throne.

And thankfully, with no Norman Bates in this bathroom.

(harrowing unnerving music) (Marion screaming) - It has these little wings on it.

So, just, just like that.

- Yeah, and it goes under the toilet seat.

- Yes, exactly.

- [Laura] We're talking about smart toilet tech.

This sleek, discreet device with a camera attaches to your toilet bowl and uses AI to analyze your waste in just minutes.

- There's a growing appreciation that gut health is one of the pillars of overall health and wellness.

And there are millions of Americans today who have chronic digestive diseases, but no way of tracking that on a day-to-day basis, right?

We have 50 devices that track our sleep and our exercise and our recovery, but nothing looking at gut health or hydration on a daily basis.

- [Laura] Scott Hickle, CEO and Co-Founder of Throne, showed us an early prototype and explained how it works.

- This is the camera down here.

- That's the camera.

- Yeah.

- Wow.

- And so, it faces down into the toilet.

The rest of this sits on the outside of the toilet.

And this motion sensor picks up, so when you walk into the bathroom with your phone on you the motion sensor wakes the device up and then it pings your phone's Bluetooth to identify this is Laura or this is Scott.

- [Laura] It's totally hands-free, and when you walk away it turns itself off and sends a report to an app on your phone.

- [Scott] Various hydration-related trends, or my gut health-related trends.

- [Laura] You can track your gut health, habits, and hydration over time, along with any food sensitivities without a restriction diet.

Plus it could save you the pain and shame of a stool sample.

- In five years I think there's a very real possibility that someone with something like inflammatory bowel disease could use this device and have an estimate of how inflamed their colon is.

- [Laura] But behind the scenes this toilet tech is actually personal for the team.

One of their co-founders has ulcerative colitis and also co-founded WHOOP, one of the largest health-tracking companies in the world.

For Scott, his mom, who's a doctor, gave some inspiration.

- We joked about this concept for a couple years until I called my mom and was like, "Hey Mom, is there any medical utility to looking at people's waste?"

And she lit up.

She goes, "Honey, I stopped giving my phone number to my patients years ago because they sent me so many pictures of their poop."

- [Laura] But toilet humor aside, health experts say colon cancer is on the rise among young people.

Throne hopes that one day this device can help you catch serious diseases early and maybe in the nick of time.

- And then long term the vision is to build what we call the smoke detector for colon cancer.

'Cause if we can reliably detect trace amounts of what's called fecal occult blood, that will not only improve people's health but ultimately save lives.

- They expect the product to be available early next year.

That's our show.

We're taking a break next week so you can watch the new Ken Burns documentary on the American Revolution.

And then another break for Thanksgiving.

We're back on December 4th with a special episode.

We're talking in depth with a superstar in the local food scene, Patrick Terry, Namesake and Co-Founder of P. Terry's.

Thanks so much for watching.

We'll see you soon.

(soothing melodic music) (soothing melodic music continues) (soothing melodic music continues) - [Narrator] Support for "Austin InSight" comes from Sally & James Gavin, and also from Daniel L. Skret.

(upbeat flute music)