Last year, Texas announced that it would slash $350 million in Medicaid benefits to disabled children. In response, a group of concerned Texans filed a lawsuit seeking to block the cuts. But this week, The Texas Tribune reports, the Texas Supreme Court allowed the cuts to move forward.
The money was going toward speech, physical and occupational therapy providers and the families of children who receive those services.
The state argues that therapy providers were overpaid.
Critics charge that, after the cuts take effect, many children’s speech and physical therapy providers will have to close their businesses.
As many as 60,000 disabled children could lose their access to therapy because of the state legislature’s decision to stop funding their treatment. Stephanie Rubin is chief executive of Texans Care for Children. She said, “There is going to be heartbreak when parents find out their children with disabilities won't be able to get help learning to walk or eat.”
