Major research released in 2013 found that scoliosis surgery could be avoided in certain circumstances if it was found at an early stage. As a result, Texas lawmakers Don Huffines and Tom Oliverson, MD passed 2017 legislation to ensure that Texas students can avoid the painful scoliosis surgery.

In the past, Texas’ scoliosis screening standards in Texas schools often caught scoliosis when it was too late. Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, students will be screened at an earlier age when it is more effective, In addition, the number of screenings will be reduced.