State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, For the San Antonio Express-News, Tues, Sept 22, 2015.
The Texas budget reduces education spending by $1.5 billion, reduces medical reimbursement rates for all Medicaid patients, and, worst of all, virtually eliminates medical care for children with special needs.
Hundreds of citizens testified against these cuts at last week’s HHSC hearing, and 2,800 people have signed my petition to state leaders calling on them to halt these cuts and reconsider alternatives. Because of this, many legislators are backpedaling and joining the fight, citing a provision that gives HHSC some flexibility when imposing these cuts. The federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services will have the final say on implementing these cuts, and federal law requires states to not impede access to medical care, which many health care experts believe will occur if these cuts are implemented. HHSC could take a deep breath and reassess what needs to happen. […] HHSC can heed the directive of budget leaders who insist there are alternatives to the proposed cuts.
Source: Proposed state Medicaid cuts shameful – San Antonio Express-News