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.
While Texas is home to some of the largest cities in the country, it is also home to a large rural population. Over 4.2 million Texans live in rural areas — more than live in many other states. For these Texas families, health care can look dramatically different than it does for their urban counterparts….
For many Texas families, a routine doctor’s visit can lead to a startling discovery in the mailbox. When hospitals acquire physician practices, it may allow them to charge a new, separate facility fee alongside the professional fee for the physician’s services. These additional fees have tangible consequences for Texas families. In one instance, a routine…
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…