Industry Stakeholders Respond to State's Proposed Cuts to Medicaid Home Health Therapy Rates

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) heard testimony from health care experts, family members and other industry stakeholders today on the harmful impacts of their proposal to cut Medicaid home health therapy reimbursement rates by 30 to 75 percent. More than 200 stakeholders attended the hearing.

HHSC's proposal runs counter to the legislature's intent in the last legislative session when lawmakers considered cuts and decided home health therapy services would not be subject to additional rate reductions for the 2012-13 biennium.

"These rate cuts will significantly jeopardize the quality, affordability and accessibility of Medicaid home health therapy services for those who need them most," said Anita Bradberry, executive director of the Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice. "This move will ultimately cost taxpayers more by forcing Texans who receive these services into higher-cost institutional care options."

The commission's proposal to cut reimbursement rates comes at a time when home health therapy rates have not been increased in 10 years. In fact, these rates were already decreased in 2011 by two percent. Additionally, costs to provide home health therapy services have increased during the same period.

"Lawmakers considered rate cuts for home health therapy in the last legislative session and chose not to reduce them," said Bradberry. "HHSC's proposal disregards the will of our lawmakers and the Texans they represent."

The Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice Inc. is a statewide non-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for ethical practices, quality and economic viability of licensed providers of home and community support services in Texas. For more information, visit www.tahch.org.

SOURCE Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice Inc.