Progressive Health of Marks, Texas Children’s Issue Winter Weather Preparedness Guidance

Progressive Health of Marks published preparedness guidance ahead of the winter storm, reminding residents to plan for power outages, keep medications and supplies on hand, maintain extra food and water, and seek care at the hospital's 2. The short advisory, released Jan. 23, 2026, delivers direct, patient-facing steps for families in Marks and Quitman County as colder weather and service disruptions approach.

One day earlier, Texas Children’s Health Plan sent a provider-focused notice urging clinicians and staff to review preparedness measures and share safety resources with members. The Jan. 22, 2026 notice opened with the header “Attention: All Providers” and stated, “Call to action: As colder temperatures approach, Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) encourages providers to review preparedness measures and share available safety resources with our members. Ensuring patients have access to reliable information can help prevent weatherrelated health and safety risks.” The plan also thanked providers for support in keeping members safe: “We appreciate your continued support in helping members stay safe and prepared during severe weather conditions.”

Together the communications cover both direct household steps and operational tools for care coordination. Progressive Health’s checklist emphasizes household readiness - electricity-dependent patients should be especially mindful to have backup plans for power outages, extra medication supplies, and food and water on hand. TCHP’s notice supplies operational resources for providers and members, including guidance for those enrolled in CHIP, STAR (Medicaid), STAR Kids and pregnant member programs, and bilingual outreach lines reading “If you are Texas Children’s Health Plan Member, we have tips that can help you deal with the severe weather. Learn more” and its Spanish equivalent.

TCHP also announced a change in non-emergency medical transportation for its members: SafeRide Health (SRH) is identified as the new provider of all NEMT services to medical appointments and pharmacies. Spanish-language material in the notice details available vehicle types and scheduling instructions: “SafeRide Health (SRH) es el nuevo proveedor de todos los servicios de transporte médico que no son de emergencia (NEMT, por sus siglas en inglés) hacia consultas médicas y farmacias.” The notice further states in Spanish that transport may include wheelchair-lift vehicles, stretcher vans, minivans or ambulatory vans and instructs members to inform SRH what type of transportation they need when scheduling their ride.

TCHP provides operational contacts for providers seeking more information; questions can be directed to Provider Relations at providerrelations@texaschildrens.org, and providers are pointed to the plan’s provider alerts page for additional notices. The notice also reminds readers that SNAP requirements changed Nov. 1, 2025, and directs people to call 211 for SNAP assistance.

The Progressive Health advisory as published ends mid-sentence with “hospital’s 2,” and the hospital has not provided expanded wording in the material reviewed here. Residents who rely on electricity for medical equipment, those needing transportation to appointments, and families managing limited food or medication supplies should act now to assemble essentials and confirm local services. Providers serving Marks-area patients should share these readiness steps, use TCHP’s resources where applicable, and contact Provider Relations for member-specific questions.