Dear Friends and Families of THERAPY 2000:

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) recently changed the payment rate for therapy services for children covered under the Texas Medicaid program. In addition to decreases for evaluation and re-evaluation rates, the HHSC plans to decrease speech, language and feeding services by 27% effective September 1, 2015. These rates will deny children from receiving quality therapy service in the long term.

WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW! HERE ARE THREE WAYS YOU CAN HELP.

1. PLEASE CALL THE DISTRICT OFFICE OF YOUR STATE OF TEXAS SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE.

Click here to find out who represents you in Congress and their direct office phone numbers: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx.

THERAPY 2000 is asking you to call both your Texas Senator and Representative today.

Here is an outline of what you should include in the brief conversation:

• Introduce yourself and tell a little bit about the services you receive from THERAPY 2000.
• Tell them that the cuts proposed by The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will threaten the much needed services your child(ren) receive(s).
• Ask for your Senator and Representative to contact HHSC Commissioner Chris Traylor and ask for a delay of implementation of these cuts until the utilization data and therapy study can be fully investigated
• Let the offices know that if they have further questions they should contact Jennifer Riley, Jennifer.Riley@T2000.com or 214/986-8046.

2. PLEASE ATTEND THE RATE HEARING IN AUSTIN, TEXAS ON JULY 20TH, 9 AM.

A public hearing is scheduled to hear testimony from all who will be affected by the proposed cuts. THERAPY 2000 is calling on all interested patients, families and friends to testify. Please come and share your story of how therapy has benefited you or someone you know. Share what a lack of access to these services would bring to your family

The hearing is scheduled:

July 20th, 2015
Health and Human Services Commission
Brown-Heatly Building
Public Hearing Room
4900 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78751-2316

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ATTEND HEARING:

• Please plan to arrive early.
• Parking is available in the Brown-Heatly parking garage next to HHSC and also across Lamar in the DADS – Winters parking lot.
• Visitors must sign in at the security desk when you enter Brown-Heatly and show a picture ID.
• You will be asked to sign in for the hearing. If you wish to provide testimony, you will sign a witness card.
• If you have children with special needs that require special accommodations, please let the hearing officers know. They will do their best to honor your requests.
• There is a cafeteria on site.
• Please be prepared for a long day.

HOW TO TELL YOUR STORY:

• You will be able to speak up to 3 minutes.
• No one will ask you questions. You will simply give your testimony (tell your story).
• Please prepare your narrative in advance and bring printed copies to give to HHSC staff.
• Simply tell your story of how therapy has benefited you or someone you know.
• Talk about what it would happen if therapy services were not available.

3. PLEASE SEND IN YOUR WRITTEN COMMENTS EVEN IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND THE HEARING.

Simply write your story of how therapy has benefited you or someone you know in a letter. Share what would happen if therapy services were not available in the letter also. Written comments regarding the proposed payment rates may be submitted instead of, or in addition to, oral testimony until 5 p.m. the day of the hearing. Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail, overnight mail, special delivery mail, hand delivery, fax, or e-mail:

• U.S. Mail
  Texas Health and Human Services Commission
  Attention: Rate Analysis, Mail Code H-400
  P.O. Box 149030
  Austin, Texas 78714-9030
• Overnight mail, special delivery mail, or hand delivery
  Texas Health and Human Services Commission
  Attention: Rate Analysis, Mail Code H-400
  Brown-Heatly Building
  4900 North Lamar
  Austin, Texas 78751
  Phone number for package delivery: (512) 730-7401
• Fax: Attention: Rate Analysis at (512) 730-7475
• Email : RADAcuteCare@hhsc.state.tx.us

Thank you. Please contact Jennifer.Riley@T2000.com or 877-688-2520 with any questions.