HHSC Hearing Information: 2/6/19


An important hearing is happening next Wednesday 2/6 for Health & Human Services Appropriations. We will be there testifying. This hearing is a request for funding for numerous programs and supports that impact adults & children with autism such as:

-ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) funding.
-Getting Medicaid to cover Applied Behavior Analysis therapy (ABA)
-Funding for waivers such as Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) & Home and Community-based Services (HCS)
-Better pay rates for attendants who support & work with adults with disabilities

Hearing Information:
Date: Wednesday 2/6/19
Time: 9:00 AM (these hearings are very long and could last all day/evening- see below for info)
Location: Hearing room E1.036 at the Capitol
Capitol Address: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Capitol Visitor Parking Garage address: 1201 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

Testifying or turning in written testimony:
If you want to testify, and you have a connection to any of these issues, it’s important to remember that this is a finance hearing, so you’ll be asking for funding for whatever your topic is! You don’t have to be an expert, you can tell your own story! i.e. “I’m here today because my child received ABA therapy through our private insurance and it was life changing! I want to see all children in Texas have that opportunity. I would like more funding so that all children with autism covered by Medicaid can receive ABA therapy.” You are allowed to testify for up to 3 minutes, although sometimes that gets cut to 2 minutes, so be prepared! The hearings sometimes go until late in the night as well. If you can’t stay to testify, you can also come and turn in written testimony, which must include your name, and you have to provide 40 copies of the written testimony if you don’t plan to stay & testify in person!

Here are some great tips on testifying from Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities:

Public Testimony Tips

Please email us if you are interested in testifying or turning in written testimony. We’re happy to set up a phone call or meet to provide more resources & information & help with talking points!

Contact: Jacquie@texasautismsociety.org or (512) 479-4199, x4.

To join our Advocacy Email List please sign up here.

Please note! There is also an Education Hearing right around the corner! We will be attending & testifying at this hearing as well.
Save the date! Education Hearing: Monday Feb 11th at 10:00 AM in hearing room E1.036.