As you make decisions regarding the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) budget, Texans Care urges you to consider the local burden and long-term costs that the state incurs by not addressing real community need. The outcry from so many people who have testified this week speaks to the breadth of impact of making these cuts. There are no good choices to be made if our state continues to only look to cuts in services in balancing the budget. As many have already highlighted, key areas of concern regarding cuts to the CHIP and Medicaid programs include:Forgoing federal matching funds, which would help bear the burden of Texas healthcare costs, while also infusing more money into the economy, Leaving insufficient funding to cover anticipated caseload growth, and Decreases in provider reimbursement rates that will result in shortages, leaving many children resorting to costly acute care rather than cost-effective preventive care. . . .We also know members of the committee are aware of the potentially devastating cuts to the Nurse Family Partnership. HHSC's recently released evaluation of the Nurse Family Partnership shows strong early outcomes, very much in keeping with national outcomes on key indicators such as levels of preterm birth, low birth weight, rates for breastfeeding initiation, and rates of domestic violence, among others. All of these improved outcomes result in significant reductions in long-term state costs, and the reduction of these services reflects key opportunities missed to ensure that children are not propelled into cycles of violence, poverty, poor health, and long-term dependence on public programs.These are just a few of the many dire cuts reflected in SB 1. Our members and partners throughout the state propel us not to call for the elimination of any one particular cut, but rather to call for reforming the way our state devises its budget. Texas already spends the least per capita of any state and has some of the worst outcomes for its children. We need a balanced approach to balancing the state budget. We will continue to urge our state leaders to look at options that bring state revenue into alignment with the actual level of need.
As you make decisions regarding the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) budget, Texans Care urges you to consider the local burden and long-term costs that the state incurs by not addressing real community need. The outcry from so many people who have testified this week speaks to the breadth of impact of making these cuts. There are no good choices to be made if our state continues to only look to cuts in services in balancing the budget.
As many have already highlighted, key areas of concern regarding cuts to the CHIP and Medicaid programs include:
We also know members of the committee are aware of the potentially devastating cuts to the Nurse Family Partnership. HHSC's recently released evaluation of the Nurse Family Partnership shows strong early outcomes, very much in keeping with national outcomes on key indicators such as levels of preterm birth, low birth weight, rates for breastfeeding initiation, and rates of domestic violence, among others. All of these improved outcomes result in significant reductions in long-term state costs, and the reduction of these services reflects key opportunities missed to ensure that children are not propelled into cycles of violence, poverty, poor health, and long-term dependence on public programs.
It is critical for Texas to have an [Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)] system that reaches children aged birth to three with or at-risk of developmental delays and disabilities, provides the recommended level of services needed to helpt hem reach their potential, and is sustainable.Under the proposed budget, 5,800 fewer infants and toddlers would receive ECI services each month.Failure to invest in ECI will not only lead to poorer child outcomes, it will increase the long-term costs to the public, as children in need of early intervention but do not receive it and re-enter public systems with greater delays and problem severity. Research shows that most of the dollar benefits of early childhood interventions are reaped by society in reduced public spending in other systems.
It is critical for Texas to have an [Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)] system that reaches children aged birth to three with or at-risk of developmental delays and disabilities, provides the recommended level of services needed to helpt hem reach their potential, and is sustainable.Under the proposed budget, 5,800 fewer infants and toddlers would receive ECI services each month.
SB1 would [also] end the state’s investment in:
Over the past decade, Texas has ranked at or near the bottom amongst the states in spending on public mental health services for all age groups, and it spends only about 15% of this funding on children. Spending on children's public mental health in Texas in recent years has consistently decreased. As of August 2009, 512 children and youth with serious disorders were waiting for services because of a lack of resources, a 147% increase from 2005. If the cuts in the proposed budget are realized, 2758 fewer youth will receive mental health services each month and even fewer will receive crisis services or have access to mental health hospital beds. . . .Failing to fund effective mental health programs and services will result in increased costs to the state in spending on future services as well as a loss of human capital. Society reaps the greatest benefits from supporting the physical and mental health of its children, as it reduces its costs in the health, education, and criminal justice system and increases the stability, productivity, and safety of its people. . . .
Over the past decade, Texas has ranked at or near the bottom amongst the states in spending on public mental health services for all age groups, and it spends only about 15% of this funding on children. Spending on children's public mental health in Texas in recent years has consistently decreased. As of August 2009, 512 children and youth with serious disorders were waiting for services because of a lack of resources, a 147% increase from 2005. If the cuts in the proposed budget are realized, 2758 fewer youth will receive mental health services each month and even fewer will receive crisis services or have access to mental health hospital beds. . . .
The proposed budget cuts of over 55% to current prevention spending would hinder the progress DFPS has made to address prevention and decrease the number of children entering foster care. By investing in prevention, the number of children removed from their home decreases and the financial burden placed on Texas will be reduced. Texans Care for Children recognizes that lawmakers are proposing a deep cut in prevention funding in response to the current economic conditions. In the strongest terms possible, we urge the Legislature to recognize the long-term return on investment of prevention services and to, at a minimum, maintain current resources dedicated to prevention.
Here are three ways to meet today's needs in Texas and prepare for a better future:Use the Rainy Day Fund.An estimated $9.4 billion in savings will be available for the next budget from a fund whose constitutional mandate is shoring up state services during economic downturns. Take advantage of available federal funding.Texas taxpayers need our state leaders to prioritize bringing our share of federal dollars back to Texas.Close wasteful tax loopholes, and develop new revenue sources.The House Ways & Means Committee has been systematically reviewing tax exemptions in order to help the Legislature identify those that are outdated and that can be eliminated without hurting the average taxpayer.
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