TAHC&H members gathered at the Texas Capitol early Wednesday for a hearing by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II, tasked with creating the next biennium budget for health & human services items. The hearing started promptly at 7:30am led by Chairwoman Sarah Davis (R-134-West University Place) and is currently livestreaming here.
Throughout the hearing, providers of community care services, Medicaid therapy services, and private duty nursing services, testified about their agency operations and populations they serve. TAHC&H members who testified include Holly Arbuckle of Outreach Health Services, Marjori Costello of DSSW, Richard Hernandez of ResCare, Justin Hilger and Kristen Robison of Angels of Care, Sara Morian of Atlas Pediatric Therapy, Andrew Painter of APC Home Health Services, Rose Rash of Angels at Home, Shannon Reiswig of Special Kids Care, Jennifer Riley of Sage Care Therapy, Vanessa Sandoval of TVNS, Melissa Scott of KidsCare Therapy, Denise Stahmer of Medcare Pediatric Group, J Scott Utley of Green Apple Therapy and Jerre van den Bent of Therapy2000. Additionally, TAHC&H staff testified at the hearing on behalf of our 1,200-strong provider membership.
This hearing is especially important as it is our second and final chance to give public testimony on public record for the state budget. The Senate Finance Committee had their hearing on the budget previously this Legislative Session.
Our cohesive message was to to urge the Texas House of Representatives to consider additional funding to community care programs and private duty nursing when creating the final state budget as well as thank House members led by Speaker Joe Straus (R-121-San Antonio) for putting back $14 million in funds for Medicaid therapy that was previously cut.
Ask your state legislators to fund home care by completing our action alert or calling their offices!