Public Hearing Notice - Home and Community-based Services, Texas Home Living, and Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities Medicaid Waiver Programs

This public hearing will be webcast. Members of the public may attend the public hearing in person at the address above or access a live stream of the public hearing at https://texashhsmeetings.org/HHSWebcast. Select the tab for the Moreton M-100 Live on the date and time for this public hearing. Please e-mail Webcasting@hhsc.state.tx.us if you have any problems with the webcasting function.

Public Hearing. The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a hybrid public hearing, at the date, time, and location stated above, to solicit feedback and public comment on the prevocational or similar services under Home and Community-based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL), and Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) Medicaid waiver programs, as related to House Bill 4169, 88th Regular Session, 2023.

Attendees who would like to provide public comment should see the Public Comment section below.

1. Welcome and call to order
2. Public hearing on prevocational or similar services under HCS, TxHmL, and DBMD Medicaid waiver programs as related to House Bill 4169, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023
   1. Overview presentation by HHSC staff
   2. Public comment
3. Adjourn

Public Comment: HHSC welcomes public comments pertaining to topics related to any agenda items noted above. Members of the public who would like to provide public comment may choose from the following options:

1. Oral comments provided virtually: Members of the public must pre-register to provide oral comments virtually during the public hearing by completing a Public Comment Registration form at https://texashhsmeetings.org/PrevocHrg_PCReg_Feb2024 no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Please mark the correct box on the Public Comment Registration form and provide your name, either the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen, and your direct phone number. If you have completed the Public Comment Registration form, you will receive an email the day before the public hearing with instructions for providing virtual public comment. Individuals may present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. There will be no open discussion during the public comment period. Comment time for each individual will be determined by the total number of people registered to speak in the time allotted. If time permits, comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker but may be further limited by HHSC if more registrants need to be accommodated. Each speaker providing oral public comments virtually must ensure their face is visible and their voice audible to the other participants while they are speaking. Each speaker must state their name and on whose behalf they are speaking (if anyone). If you pre-register to speak and wish to provide a handout before the public hearing, please submit an electronic copy in accessible PDF format that will be distributed by HHCS staff to HHCS staff. Handouts are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Handouts must be emailed to LTSS_Policy@hhs.texas.gov immediately after pre-registering, but no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2024, and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments or handouts.
    
2. Written comments: Members of the public may provide written public comments by completing a Public Comment Registration form at  https://texashhsmeetings.org/PrevocHrg_PCReg_Feb2024. A member of the public who wishes to provide written public comments must email the comments to no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Please include your name and the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen. Written comments must be emailed to HHSC immediately after pre-registering and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Written comments are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments. Staff will not read written comments aloud during the public hearing, but comments will be provided to the appropriate State staff. 
    
3. Oral comments provided in-person at the public hearing location: Members of the public may provide oral public comment during the public hearing in person at the public hearing location either by pre-registering using the form above or without pre-registering by completing a form at the entrance to the hearing room. Individuals may present oral statements when called upon in order of registration. There will be no open discussion during the public comment period. Comment time for each individual will be determined by the total number of people registered to speak in the time allotted. If time permits, comments will be limited to three minutes per speaker but may be further limited by HHSC if more registrants need to be accommodated. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments.

Note: These procedures may be revised at the discretion of HHSC.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or public hearing arrangements should be directed to Kaili Hintz, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Policy Manager, Medicaid and CHIP Services, at 512-632-6419 or LTSS_Policy@hhs.texas.gov.

Persons who want to attend the public hearing and require assistive technology or services should contact Hintz at 512-632-6419 or LTSS_Policy@hhs.texas.gov at least 72 hours before the public hearing so appropriate arrangements can be made.