Texas lawmakers seek to improve Medicaid for disabled children

Feb. 27-- Feb. 27--Eight state lawmakers from both parties have introduced at least 15 bills that would expand health care access and coverage for children with disabilities who depend on Medicaid programs. The legislation comes on the heels of reports last year that private health insurance companies, which provide Medicaid coverage in Texas, were denying necessary health services for clients.

During a rally and news conference outside the Capitol Tuesday with Protect TX Fragile Kids, a network of 2,000 parents of children on Medicaid across Texas, a dozen lawmakers voiced their support for the children and their families. The group highlighted 20 filed and upcoming bills, which executive director Hannah Mehta called a "short-term Band-Aid."

"Let's put some solutions that are short term in place so that families aren't dealing with that constant day-to-day inability to provide for their child," Mehta said. "Then let's work as a state and as a Legislature on the policy side to look at some longer-term changes that will help move us in the right direction."

"I can promise you this, all my Democrats are going to vote for this. I need you to help these gentlemen convince some of our colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle," Rep. Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, told the crowd.

Texas ranks 49th among U.S. states in providing support and services for children with disabilities, according to Protect TX Fragile Kids.

"If one of these kids is better when I get through this session, then it's been worth it," state Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock told the American-Statesman.

Having parents and families come to his and other lawmakers' offices has been beneficial in advising how the laws have affected children's health care and how they need to change, Perry said.

State Rep. Sarah Davis, a Houston Republican and chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, filed a bill Tuesday that would implement greater oversight of the Medicaid managed care program by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

"This is a system that I think has failed to keep up with the growing responsibilities of administering the care for those that are most vulnerable in this state," Davis said.

Currently, the Senate appropriations bill instructs HHSC to not raise enrollment in the state's Medically Dependent Children Program, which allows the most medically fragile children and young adults to avoid living in nursing homes, above 5,480.

Protect TX Fragile Kids leaders' immediate goals include removing enrollment caps on the Medically Dependent Children Program, funding additional waiver slots, removing enrollment caps for other waiver programs, and fixing the state's managed care system.

Breanna Harrison, a 19-year-old from San Antonio who uses a wheelchair, will age out of the program and children's Medicaid in 2020, but is still behind thousands of others waiting to enter Community Living Assistance and Support Services. Her adoptive mother, Peggy Harrison, said Breanna requires constant supervision and needs several hours of coverage from skilled care professionals.

"If she doesn't get enough hours, I can't work," Peggy said.

___

(c)2019 Austin American-Statesman, Texas

Visit Austin American-Statesman, Texas at www.statesman.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.