In recent days, this has become more and more controversial. The legislature cut a sizable amount of money from the budget that had gone to reimburse doctors who provided - through Medicaid - physical therapy to poor and disabled children.
- For background click here:
- Medicaid Budget Kicks Can Down Road, Experts Say.
- Texas to Move Forward With Cuts to Children's Therapy.
Now there's a backlash. Republicans in Texas are joining Democrats in questioning the wisdom of the cuts. (This makes me wonder if members of the legislature knew exactly what they were doing when they voted on the General Appropriations Bill last spring.) The cuts were in response to increased spending on health care on the state - increases are happening nationally as well - in addition to a now disputed study which argued that Texas pay more on therapy than other states.
- Click here for the study.
Some of the initial push back against the cuts is coming from health care providers - and reveals a battle between in-patient and out-patient providers.
- For detail: Behind Medicaid Cuts, a Fight Over Child Therapy.
Here's a look at how this conflict is playing out:
- Families of Disabled Children Sue Texas Over Medicaid Cuts.
- GOP opposition emerges to huge cuts in Medicaid services for disabled Texas children.
