Action Alert from the Arc of Texas

[Guest guest]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nick Almanza

April 26, 2007

512/463-0121

Senator Zaffirini, The Arc of Texas

Prioritize Reducing Health and Human Services Waiting Lists

(AUSTIN) — As Senate and House appropriations conferees prepare to reconcile

the $153 billion state budget, Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, and the Arc

of Texas today (Thursday) released details about Texans in each Senate and House

district currently on waiting lists for community-based Medicaid waiver program

services. As vice chair of Senate Finance, Senator Zaffirini prioritizes

reducing community-based Medicaid waiver program waiting lists. As an

appropriations conferee, she will continue to work to increase funding to

provide the maximum reduction of waiting lists.

" I appreciate greatly the hard work of the Arc of Texas in compiling

information that allows each Senate and House member to see precisely how many

of their constituents are waiting to receive care, " Senator Zaffirini said. " The

appropriations conferees must focus on allocating the maximum funds available to

reduce the waiting lists, and this information will assist greatly by

underscoring the significance of this issue. "

Currently more than 90,000 Texans are on waiting lists for community-based,

home services and care. The Senate version of the state budget includes $107.1

million to reduce these waiting lists. $75 million also is included in the

Senate version's Article XI " wish list. " The Senate's $107.1 million potentially

would bring approximately 8,000 persons into Medicaid.

Senate Finance Committee members named by Lt. Governor Dewhurst to the

appropriations conference committee are Senators Steve Ogden, R-, chair;

Duncan, R-Lubbock; Whitmire, D-Houston; Tommy , R-The

Woodlands; and Zaffirini. More than 14,000 persons waiting for community-based

care reside in their districts.

House Appropriations Committee members named by Speaker Tom Craddick to the

appropriations conference committee are Representatives Warren Chisum, R-Pampa,

chair; Guillen, D-Rio Grande City; Dan Gattis, R-town; Lois

Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and Sylvester , D-Houston. More than 3,700 persons

waiting for community-based care reside in their districts.

" My strong preference is to secure $893 million to eliminate waiting lists for

all health and human services programs, " Senator Zaffirini said. " The reality is

that we don't have the votes to do that. Alternatively, we should do everything

in our power to adopt a 10-year plan to eliminate waiting lists. This would be a

$260 million investment in better access to health care. As the conferees

prepare to negotiate the final version of the budget, it is my hope that

legislators prioritize the needs of the many persons who reside in their Senate

and House districts who are waiting to receive community-based health programs. "

###

Attachments: Arc of Texas' data detailing persons on community-based Medicaid

waiver program waiting lists per Senate and House district.

Waiting List Information Per House District

Waiting List Information Per Senate District

M. Guppy

Don't tell God how big your storm is - tell the storm how big your God is!

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to

compromise. We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should live

in one. We cannot debate who should get an inclusive education. Everyone

should. We cannot determine who does and who does not get the right to make

their own choices and forge their own futures. All must. "