Vice President, Communications
Merrill helps Texans better understand the research, data and policy choices shaping the state's future. Before joining Texas 2036, she spent more than three decades advising Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and nonprofits across Texas on strategic communications and public affairs.
For many Texas households, the state’s economic growth is being tempered by the rising price of health care. Recent longitudinal polling and market data indicate that health care affordability has transitioned from a secondary issue to the primary financial anxiety for a majority of the state and national population. According to the December 2025 Texas…
Final open enrollment figures show that close to 4.2 million Texans enrolled in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan for 2026. That total exceeds Texas’ 2025 enrollment of just under 4 million and represents an increase of more than 200,000 enrollees year-over-year. In a year defined by contraction elsewhere, Texas posted the largest numerical gain…
Voting is one of the simplest ways Texans can shape what happens in our communities, but it works best when you take a few minutes to prepare ahead of time. In Texas, that preparation usually comes down to three steps: confirming your registration, registering or updating your information if needed, and previewing your ballot. The…
In Texas, the primary election is where the ballot for November starts to take shape. It’s the moment voters decide who will advance to the general election and, in many communities, the primary can be the most competitive (and most decisive) election of the year. This guide breaks down the basics of the Texas primary…
Newly released data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) show that Texas ACA plan selections have already reached a new record, with 4,113,465 Texans selecting a plan. As of Jan. 3, selections for 2026 plans exceeded last year’s total by nearly 150,000 people, with 12 days still remaining in the open enrollment…
Recent findings from the KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey show that the increasing price of health insurance is putting a strain on employers and employees. Premiums have climbed steadily, eroding gains from wage growth and threatening the affordability of employer-sponsored coverage. Increasing Prices, Shrinking Paychecks Nationally, the average annual employer-sponsored health insurance premiums in…