
Chair, Jim Pitts
Vice-Chair, Sylvester Turner
Members
Warren Chisum
Myra Crownover
Dawnna Dukes
Craig Eiland
Helen Giddings
Scott Hochberg
Ruth Jones McClendon
Geanie Morrison
John Otto
Debbie Riddle
Mike Villarreal
Jimmie Don Aycock
Angie Chen Button
Drew Darby
Lance Gooden
Eric Johnson
Susan King
Dee Margo
Armando Martinez
Doug Miller
Diane Patrick
Charles Schwertner
Mark Shelton
Raul Torres
John Zerwas
Chair, Richard Pena Raymond
Vice-Chair, Geanie Morrison
Members
Naomi Gonzalez
Bryan Hughes
Elliot Naishtat
Chuck Hopson
Todd Hunter
Jodie Lauenberg
Van Taylor
Chair,Lois Kolkhorst
Vice-Chair, Elliott Naishtat
Members
Garnet Coleman
Veronica Gonzalez
Jodie Laubenberg
Vicki Truitt
Carol Alvarado
Sarah Davis
Susan King
Charles Schwertner
John Zerwas
Todd Hunter
Jodie Lauenberg
Van Taylor
The community based programs that allow Texans the choice to receive their long term care services in the community not in an institution are endanger of being drastically cut. If you don’t Raise your Voice and let the Legislators know how losing your services will affect you and your family, then they will make the CUTS!
Here are a few examples of some of the proposed cuts to the Medicaid Waiver programs:
How can you make your voice heard: You can give public testimony at the Capitol in the Capitol Finance Room E1.036; Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd, & Thursday 3rd starting at 9:00 a.m. Parking is available in the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage at 1201 San Jacinto located between Trinity and San Jacinto Streets at 12th and 13th streets. Parking is free for the first two hours and $1.00 for each half hour thereafter (maximum daily charge: $8.00); accessible parking is available with accessible routes to the Capitol. (Map of the Capitol area provide at the bottom) A majority of disability advocacy groups plan to concentrate their testimony on Thursday, if you can’t attend make your voice heard through emails, phone calls, or working with others during this important time. (More information below on how to contact your legislator by phone or mail)
Tips on giving oral testimony: The purpose of public hearings is to provide government officials with an opportunity to learn about issues – the benefits, concerns, needs or problems. It is also an opportunity for constituents, citizens and advocates to provide testimony and express opinions.
Important reasons to attended and testify at public hearings:
• Educate & influence legislators
• Educate the public
• Publicize positions, problems & solutions
Do:
• Know the issue and how it affects you and others.
• Prepare! You usually have only 3 minutes to speak. They will stop you even if you're not done.
• Begin by identifying yourself, the group you represent, the bill or issue, and if you are for or against.
• Tell them your story and how you have benefited and that you would much rather receive your services in the community. (Remember you only have 3 minutes)
• Use personal examples to make your point.
• Be Respectful!
• End by thanking the committee or legislators for the opportunity to testify
If you give oral testimony and you are asked what to cut say (1) before anything is cut, use the $9.4 billion Rainy Day Fund and (2) I understand other issues are important, but I am here to talk about disability issues.
If you don’t know which Senator represents you, take a few seconds to find out at http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
Call the Senate Finance Committee Members Below:
Sen. Steve Ogden : (512) 463-0105
Sen. Juan Hinojosa: (512) 463-0120
Sen. Bob Deuell: (512) 463-0102
Sen. Robert Duncan: (512) 463-0128
Sen. Kevin Eltife: (512) 463-0101
Sen. Craig Estes: (512) 463-0130
Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.: (512) 463-0127
Sen. Jane Nelson: (512) 463-0112
Sen. Dan Patrick: (512) 463-0107
Sen. Ken Seliger: (512) 463-0131
Sen. Florence Shapiro: (512) 463-0108
Sen. Royce West: (512) 463-0123
Sen. John Whitmire: (512) 463-0115
Sen. Tommy Williams: (512) 463-010
Sen. Judith Zaffirini: (512) 463-0121
If you don’t know which Senator represents you, take a few seconds to find out at http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
• Introduce yourself in your email and let the legislator know why you are interested or concerned about the issue. Tell the legislator how the bill will affect you, your family, your friends, your job/business. Include specific examples if you can.This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 19, 2011
For More Information
Brian Stephens
512-320-0222, ext. 112
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Melissa Cubria
512-479-7287
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Texas Groups: Texans Will Lose Big if Health Care Repealed
(AUSTIN, Texas) - As Congress prepares to vote to repeal the federal health reform law this afternoon, Cover Texas Now, a coalition of consumer and faith-based organizations, reminds state lawmakers of the high cost of repeal and the opportunity we have to make health care more secure for Texans.
“Repealing national health reform will be detrimental for consumers,” said coalition member and TexPIRG advocate Melissa Cubria. “Consumers will face significantly higher insurance premiums and could see costly coverage denials and price discrimination if efforts to repeal the federal health care law prevail in Congress or in the courts.”
Added Kevin Moriarty, president and chief executive officer of Methodist Healthcare Ministries,"The state of Texas has the most to gain from the full implementation of healthcare reform; to repeal this law would be a devastating blow to the least served in our community.”
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has signed onto a federal lawsuit urging the roll back of the law, and Washington's intensely partisan debate over health care threatens to spill over to Austin, as the Governor and state legislators consider key implementation decisions.
If health reform is repealed, Texans would lose the many popular changes already helping them today, including:
“Over 13 million Texans are covered by private insurance today, but many of these businesses and families struggle to stay covered due to premiums that grow much faster than wages or inflation,” said Stacey Pogue, senior policy analyst with Center for Public Policy Priorities. “Repeal of the Affordable Care Act would halt reforms that will help get costs under control, make sure no Texan can ever be turned down for insurance, and provide sliding–scale help for families willing to pay their fair share of premiums.”
“Health reform will allow Texas to provide affordable, comprehensive health coverage to 95 percent of Texas children allowing them to grow up healthy, miss fewer days of school and improve academic outcomes and long-term success,” said Laura Guerra-Cardus, associate director for the Children’s Defense Fund of Texas. “Providing health care through insurance coverage and primary care doctors is far cheaper for Texans and far better for children than relying on costly emergency rooms."
With smart implementation of health reform, Texas can gain more federal funds than any other state, bringing $120 billion into Texas and generating over $250 billion in economic activity from 2014 -2019.
For Texans to keep the popular provisions of health reform listed above and get the best deal, our federal law must not be repealed and Texas lawmakers must take three critical steps in the 2011 Texas Legislative Session:
States are in charge of creating new marketplaces for families and small businesses to buy insurance, and how well lawmakers do this will determine how affordable that health coverage is, and how simple the process of shopping for health insurance is.
TAB 1 2001 Exchange Letter
Texas CHIP Coalition Briefing 1 28 2011

