On February 23, 2010, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing on Interim Charge #12 related to a review of the Medicaid HCBS waivers and development of recommendations to assure that people with significant disabilities, regardless of disability label or age, receive needed services to remain in or transition to the community.
The Texas Council provided invited testimony on the first panel with HHSC Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs and DADS Commissioner Chris Traylor (presentation attached). Also attached is the presentation delivered by Danette Castle, Texas Council CEO.
Invited testimony was also provided by panels of provider organizations [Private Providers Association of Texas, Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice, and EveryChild, Inc.] and advocacy organizations [ADAPT of Texas, Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities and AARP].
Jamie Travis, as board member of the Arc of Texas, Chair of the Texas Council Board of Directors and Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Gulf Coast MHMR Center also provided testimony in support of HCS services.
As would be expected, testimony was provided by several people in support of consolidating waivers. However, the Texas Council and many other stakeholders maintained that SB 1 Section 48 has already set in motion an important reshaping of the service system for people with intellectual disabilities. The review and deliberations surrounding this charge will unfold over the next several months. We will continue to make the case that HCS and other community-based services for people with intellectual disabilities are key to effectively supporting people in the community.