Blogs

TAHC&H members, patient advocacy groups, and families joined together yesterday at the Texas Capitol to bring attention to the devastating effects of budget Rider 50 on cuts to Medicaid therapy services. The morning began at a press conference with Senator Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso) and Senator Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) who spoke alongside patient families and advocacy groups like Easter Seals Texas, Any Baby Can, Texas Parent to Parent, and the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities.

Following the press conference, about 30 TAHC&H members and staff attended the Senate Finance Committee Hearing covering the implementation of Rider 50 among other interim charges. It was a long and arduous day (7 hours total!) with many TAHC&H members providing excellent and compelling testimonies to the Committee about the Medicaid therapy program. The Committee also heard directly from patients and their families in some powerfully emotional moments, as well as TAHC&H's Executive Director Rachel Hammon. We are proud of all our members who gave testimony yesterday at the Capitol!

View the recordings: Press conference and Senate Finance Hearing (public testimonies begin at 3:57 and TAHC&H testifies at 6:22).

Below are links to media coverage of yesterday's press conference and Finance Hearing:
Texas Tribune: 'Texas Budget Writers Hear Concerns Over Medicaid Therapy Cuts'
Dallas Morning News: 'Cuts to disabled Texas children's therapy providers take hold despite court action, advocate say'
Austin American Statesman: 'Parents rebuke lawmakers for cutting Medicaid money for therapy'
KVUE CBS Austin (video): 'Parents plead to repeal cuts to kids' therapy'
KXAN NBC Austin (video): 'Medicaid changes would cut funds for Texas kids healthcare'
Texas Public Radio: 'Parents Urge Lawmakers Not To Increase Medicaid Costs For Children With Disabilities'
Austin KUT NPR: 'Advocates Ask Lawmakers To Step Up and Fund Programs for Children with Special Needs'
Time Warner News (video): 'Lawmakers Hear Concerns Over Medicaid Therapy Cuts'