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Despite HHSC\u2019s efforts to limit the effects on client services, advocates worry the proposed cuts would affect programs that are vital for children, people with disabilities and low-income Texans. (Gloria Farris | KERA)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tDespite HHSC\u2019s efforts to limit the effects on client services, advocates worry the proposed cuts would affect programs that are vital for children, people with disabilities and low-income Texans. (Gloria Farris | KERA)<\/p>\n
Advocates warn funding cuts proposed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, or HHSC, could hinder access to critical services and programs.<\/p>\n
Dozens of advocates from across Texas testified in front of the legislative budget board Thursday to ask state lawmakers to protect programs they said are critical to some of Texas\u2019 most vulnerable populations \u2013 including people with disabilities, children and low-income families.<\/p>\n
HHSC\u2019s proposed cuts \u2013 which would affect more than 20 client service programs \u2013 come after Texas\u2019 top elected officials<\/a> directed state agencies, departments, courts and universities to cut spending by 3% in budget requests ahead of the 2027 legislative session.<\/p>\n Lynn Cowles, director of health and food justice at the advocacy organization Every Texan, said HHSC needs increased funding \u2013 especially with big federal funding and policy changes to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program<\/a>, or SNAP, and Medicaid.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cuts that we\u2019ll see in Texas because of federal funding are going to cause problems in client services and health outcomes for people around the state,\u201d Cowles said. \u201cIn general, I think recognizing that a 3% budget cut would detriment all Texans in the long term is necessary at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n Texas is already expecting to be responsible for covering an additional $117 million due to federal policy changes related to SNAP program administration<\/a>. Cowles said asking the agency to cut funding could weaken programs that Texans rely on for food, health care and social support.<\/p>\n HHSC Commissioner Stephanie Muth said the agency started by eliminating programs that had become \u201cobsolete\u201d or programs where federal funding lapsed \u2013 but the agency did end up having to make cuts that would affect client services.<\/p>\n \u201cThe agency is in no way saying that these are not beneficial or important programs in the community,\u201d Muth said. \u201cWe just took a surgical approach to what the recommendations would be to meet the budget instructions.\u201d<\/p>\n Many advocates praised the agency\u2019s requests for additional funding to address barriers or concerns. HHSC\u2019s request includes a request for additional funding<\/a> to keep more than 600 temporary eligibility workers as full-time employees as the agency facing a growing backlog<\/a> of SNAP and Medicaid applications.<\/p>\n Despite HHSC\u2019s efforts to limit the effects on client services, advocates worry the proposed cuts would affect programs that are vital for children, people with disabilities and low-income Texans.<\/p>\n \u201cTexas has the financial capacity to bridge these funding gaps and shield these programs from devastating cuts,\u201d said Lee Johnson, the CEO of the Texas Council of Community Centers \u2013 which represents the 39 local mental health and intellectual disability authorities of Texas.<\/p>\n About half of the programs impacted will be eliminated entirely \u2013 including navigator services for the state\u2019s Medicaid program for pregnant people and the Statewide Youth Services Program.<\/p>\n Kerrie Judice, the director of policy and advocacy for TexProtects \u2013 a child abuse and neglect prevention organization based in Dallas \u2013 said the cuts to family and youth service programs come at a time when families need more support than ever before.<\/p>\n \u201cMoreover, some of these programs have a significant return on investment,\u201d she said. \u201cIn the long run, these cuts will cost Texas taxpayers even more in the future and likely lead to more kids entering the [foster care] system.\u201d<\/p>\n Under the proposed cuts, HHSC would no longer provide support for the County Indigent Healthcare Program<\/a> \u2013 which helps low-income Texans access health care services if they don\u2019t qualify for other state or federal programs.<\/p>\n The agency also proposed getting rid of a program that was just recently expanded, according to advocates.<\/p>\n Jacquie Benestante, executive director of the Autism Society of Texas, said the state expanded its non-Medicaid Autism services program in August to include a wider range of ages and to cover more hours of applied behavioral analysis therapy.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s shocking,\u201d she said. \u201cThe budget should really support the expansion of this program, not eliminate this program.\u201d<\/p>\n In the agency\u2019s proposal, the eliminated client service programs represent more than $87.2 million across the state\u2019s next two-year budget cycle.<\/p>\n While almost half of the programs won\u2019t be eliminated entirely, the proposed cuts have a much higher dollar amount attached to them.<\/p>\n Proposed reductions in client services would affect more than 10 programs and represent more than $118.3 million across the state\u2019s next budget.<\/p>\n Almost half of that funding reduction would be from the Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support<\/a>, or HOPES, program \u2013 which funded parent support groups, maternal depression screenings, early literacy promotion, case management and education for parents.<\/p>\n Most other programs are losing between about $700,000 and $7.5 million in funds, except another family support services program known as the Texas Home Visiting Program<\/a> \u2013 which could lose almost $22 million under the proposal.<\/p>\n Johnson, with the Texas Council of Community Centers, said he was concerned about the proposed cut that could take millions of dollars from the Mental Health First Aid training<\/a> program \u2013 which teaches people the signs of mental health and substance use disorders, as well as the common treatments and resources available.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of Texas educators have been trained in this program,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cMental Health First Aid is a proven force multiplier for Texas.\u201d<\/p>\n Johnson said the program was enacted in the wake of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting and has been a \u201cresounding success.\u201d He said the proposed cuts would be a major step backward for the state.<\/p>\n Abigail Ruhman is KERA\u2019s health reporter. Got a tip? Email Abigail at aruhman@kera.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n