AUSTIN – Texas Public Policy Foundation Executive Director Arlene Wohlgemuth issued the following statement on the intention of Texas Medicaid officials to issue new therapy payment rates to implement reductions passed by the Texas Legislature:
“The legislature acted responsibly by mandating reductions in therapy payment rates. When examining rates in 2013, the amount paid for physical, occupational, and speech therapy for disabled children had risen from $412 million in fiscal year 2009 to $732 million in 2012—a 78% increase. Rider 51 in SB 1, 83rd Legislature, instructed the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to find savings for which HHSC selected Texas A&M to conduct research. The findings resulted in the 84th Legislature’s clear instructions to reduce costs by $350 million to bring Texas Medicaid fee-for-service rates in line with commercial rates, other states, and Medicaid managed care’s already reduced rates.”
To schedule an interview with Ms. Wohlgemuth, please contact Caroline Espinosa at [email protected] or 512-472-2700.
The Honorable Arlene Wohlgemuth is executive director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin, Texas.