Last Thursday the budget conference committee voted to
approve a final cost-containment provision for the FY 2016-2017 state budget.
The cost containment language directs Texas Health and Human Services
Commission to reduce spending on acute care therapy by $75 million in general
revenues in 2016 ($50M from rates and $25M through policy changes) and at least
$75 million in general revenues in 2017 (through rates with the continued
savings from policy changes). If the $25 million in policy savings are not
achieved the first year, HHSC can make up the difference in additional rate
reductions in 2017 for a total of $150 million in cuts over the biennium – 25%
reduction to the program.
Call your legislators now to
oppose this action. (CLICK HERE)
What can your legislator do? They
are YOUR VOICE in
government and should REPRESENT
YOU by communicating the devastating consequences of this
decision to budget leaders. House Finance Chairman John Otto and Senate
Finance Chairwoman Jane
Nelson have the ability to mitigate the damage. Your legislators must insist that they
do so!
The budget bill will need a vote on the House floor before
it can go to the Governor for signature. Your legislators can approach the
microphone and share your concerns publically. This is especially important
because there have been no public hearings on this issue, in complete disregard
for open government and transparency. While TAHC&H did everything we could
to inject reason, context, and good data to these private conversations, budget
conferees proceeded with only a very slightly modified proposal from the original
and egregious Senate proposal.
CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS IMMEDIATELY
and tell them that a $150 million cut to therapy programs in HB 1 (budget bill)
is wrong for Texas and will severely threaten access to care! Let them know how
these cuts will affect your ability to serve Medicaid clients if the program is
reduced so drastically. Tell them about specific children being served in their
district and how rate cuts will impact those patients.
