Human Impact of Proposed Budget Cuts - Wednesday, August 25, 2010
After state agencies that provide services to Texans announced their proposals earlier this month for meeting cost-reduction guidelines set by the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker, state Rep. Mike Villarreal requested more information about the human impact of the cuts. In response last week, the Health and Human Services Commission explained in a letter what roughly $275 million in state service cuts meant for actual Texans. Among the findings:
About 14,172 families and children receiving prevention and early intervention services that help reduce child abuse and neglect as well as juvenile delinquency would no longer receive these services.
In a state where 80% of children eligible for community mental health services already fail to receive them, the cuts would mean thousands fewer kids have access to these services. An estimated 2,652 kids and 11,424 adults would lose vital mental health services in their communities.
Among all mental health service programs proposed to for cuts, more than 100,000 Texans would lose care, including crisis care, they need.
In terms of other health programs, public clinics statewide would vaccinate 50% fewer children, 9,000 children would lose dental services, and 837 fewer children with special health care needs like cystic fibrosis would be able to get support that might be life-saving.
Additionally, the Dallas Morning Newsreported today that extremely poor families with children, receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families would lose 20% of the monthly support they get to care for their children, including fewer dollars for school supplies. A series of hearings in the coming weeks will allow for public comment to call on state leaders to reject proposals for cuts such as these. Learn more about what you can do here.
