Balancing the Budget on the Backs of Babies - Stop the Cuts to Early Intervention
Help keep NYS Early Intervention Afloat
NYS is proposing addional budget cuts and regulatory changes that would drastically change Early Intervention as we know it. These changes include an initiative to begin billing for home therapy sessions in 15 minute increments as well as an addional 10% budget cut across all services. Not only will this impact service providers, but it will also change the way services are delivered to children therefore effecting their progress and development.
Please read our letter to fully understand what is happening to our children.
We the undersigned implore you to make a difference in New York State Early Intervention. It has come to our attention that in addition to budgetary cuts there are proposals for regulatory changes that include billing for 15 minute increments. This action would not only effect agencies/ providers but it would negatively impact the progress and development of children diagnosed with developmental delays. As the tide of Early Intervention is constantly changing it is our children with developmental disabilities that are being effected as they are no longer receiving the support they need to compensate for and/or overcome their disability.
The Executive Budget proposes to reduce the rate of reimbursement to Early Intervention Providers by another 10% and would negatively impact their ability for providers to meet the needs of all the young children receiving EI. This is surprising as even the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) recognizes that Early Intervention is an investment, not a cost. For every dollar invested in EI services, over $7 is returned to society in the form of decreased expenditures in the avoidance of more costly special education services in the future.
We thank you for your time and consideration in this most important matter.
