Assemblyman Weprin and Early Intervention Providers Join to Oppose Budget Cuts
Online, March 24, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Assemblyman Weprin and Early Intervention Providers join to oppose budget cuts
Assemblyman David Weprin will be hosting a press conference, along with other legislators and members of United New York Early Intervention Providers and Parents As Partners concerning proposed budget cuts to the Early Intervention Program. The press conference will be held on Sunday March 27, 2011 at 12noon on the Steps of City Hall, NY, NY
The Governor's budget proposes rate reductions of 10% for Early Intervention Services across the board and also requires Early Intervention providers to directly bill Medicaid and private insurances plans. Assemblyman Weprin is happy to announce that the NYS Assembly has restored these cuts to their proposed budget. It's imperative that the NYS Senate follow suit and restore the cuts the Governor's budget proposes. If the Governor's proposal is passed it will have a devastating effect on the children serviced by Early Intervention statewide, as well as the providers and agencies that offer these essential services.
Last year's cuts to the Early Intervention program resulted in the closing of small agencies statewide and a 10-20% rate decrease to home-based independent service providers. Many children with developmental disabilities are no longer receiving the services that they need and are eligible for. Those that are receiving services have mandates that are not sufficient to meet their needs.
In response to last year's cuts, this session, I introduced Assembly Bill A705 which would prohibit the Department of Health (DOH) from reducing reimbursement rates of Early Intervention Program further.
Please join Assemblyman Weprin to urge the Governor and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos to restore the proposed budget cuts to the Early Intervention Program.
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Who: Assemblyman David Weprin, other legislators, and members of United New York Early Intervention Providers and Parents As Partners
What: Proposed Early Intervention Program budget cuts
Where: Steps of City Hall
When: Sunday March 27 at 12noon