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SAY WHAT?! |
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No tripple coupon savings for
healthcare cutbacks |
Respected Texas economist Dr. Ray Perryman
reported that cuts in Medicaid programs and CHIP will not save the state
money…in fact they will be counterproductive and cost the state two dollars
in matching federal funds for every one dollar cut and will shift the burden
of caring for the state’s frail, elderly and sickest citizens on local
governments.
Thousands of Texans who have lived productive lives and paid their taxes
will go without basic services, forcing many into more expensive
institutional care while already overcrowded emergency rooms and local
hospitals will see a dramatic increase in patients.
Elderly, frail and disabled Texans who only need a few hours of care a week
to help them with basic living needs will be abandoned or have their
services cut significantly under the current budget proposals. Those with
mental illness will be left untreated and become a serious burden to local
governments. Low income children will go without health insurance, depriving
them of preventive health care that will result in more serious health
problems in the future. Communicable disease will spread throughout the
state if left unchecked.
According to Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, these cuts are unnecessary
if the legislature will pursue revenue generating mechanisms proposed and
recommended by her office such as the cigarette user fee.
The following organizations support an increase in the user fee on
cigarettes if the revenue generated is designated to pay for health and
human services, such as filling the gap in the current proposed budget that
would result in continuing services for current recipients.
Time is clearly running out on the 78th Legislature and must be addressed
immediately.
ADAPT- American Association for Retired Persons Center for Public Policy
Priorities Texas Association for Home Care, Inc.
Texas Senior Advocacy Coalition
-Anita Bradberry
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