Monday, January 10, 2011

TX: Will Money Woes Force Closing of DAD's Facilities?

Disability rights advocates try year after year to convince lawmakers to close Texas’ state-supported living centers — the large, institutional-care settings that have been targeted by the U.S. Justice Department for dangerous conditions. Every time, their efforts are rebuffed: by the adamant parents who rely on the facilities to care for their loved ones, and the lawmakers who count on them as economic drivers in their districts.

This session, advocates say they have a big plus in their column: the state’s giant budget crunch. They are hoping lawmakers, facing an estimated $18 billion to $25 billion shortfall, will have no choice but to shutter some of the facilities, which cost Texas a combined $500 million to operate every year.

“Does this economic reality make it easier for legislators to do it? I sure hope so,” said Amy Mizcles, governmental affairs director with The Arc of Texas, which wants people with disabilities to receive community-based care. “We keep hearing this fiscal responsibility mantra. We have a real opportunity to provide better quality care in a much less expensive setting.”

Full Article and Source:
Will Money Woes Force Closing of DAD's Facilities

3 comments:

Connie said...

I absolutely hate it when folks from TX say, "DAD's" - these people are not anyone's dad. They're the state.

Anonymous said...

There have been quite a few complaints about these facilities. I would imagine a good many of them need to be closed.

Thelma said...

Now IS the time for community-based care. It's cheaper and usually safer, and your family is there to see to that.