Txaba Public Policy Group

What it reported doing in 2024

The mission of the TXABA Public Policy Group is to review and act on legislative activity and other issues impacting behavior analysts and consumers in Texas.The organization held online monthly meetings of the officers and quarterly meetings with members of the advisory committee. These meetings provided information related to public policy issues potentially affecting and/or of interest to behavior analysis in Texas and included planning for the organization's activities.The legislative priorities in 2024 were the following:1. Permanent inclusion of Telehealth for Autism Services Medicaid and MedicaidWaiver programs.2. Autism Insurance Equity- Aligns the Texas Autism Mandate with state and federalMental Health Parity requirements.3. Expedited Credentialing for Medicaid Managed Care & Commercial HealthPlans- allows ABA agencies already contracted with a payer to expedite credentialingfor their LBAs and LaBAs thus allowing autistic individuals to access care faster.4. Support for Exceptional Item 24: Rate Increases for the Medicaid AutismServices Benefit - will allow for increased rates for the autism services benefit, thus increasing network adequacy and improving access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries.The TxABA PPG has 5 Task Forces to help move forth these legislative priorities:1. Insurance, 2. Medicaid, 3. Public Education, 4. Technology and 5. AdultServices.The Insurance Task Force met X via Zoom. The Insurance Task Force engaged in thefollowing: Actively participated in the 2023 Legislative Session activities Attended the TxABA Day at the Capital, hearings, contacted legislators, provided written and in-person/virtual testimony Conducted 13 Task Force Meetings Leadership attended the TxABA PPG Quarterly Leadership Meetings Invited guests to attend task force meetings to collaborate Joy Pollard, CASP Telehealth SIG Chair Former TxABA PPG lobbyist- Chris MaseyThe Medicaid Task Force activities included: a) Provided testimony multiple times at rate hearings, bill hearings, advocating for adequate and sustainable Medicaid reimbursement rates.b) Participated in coalition meetings, bringing stakeholders from other organizations together to address concerns with the Texas Medicaid Autism Services benefit, including applied behavior analysis.c) Held bi-monthly statewide meetings to identify barriers, gather provider feedback, and offer ongoing support.d) Participated in a recurring workgroup focused on improving the PEMS system, contributing to long-term solutions.e) Participated with and presented to the Policy Council for Children and Families.f) Regularly collaborated with Texas Health and Human Services Commission, discussing and problem solving concerns and barriers related to access to care.The Public Education Taskforce goal is to review and act upon legislative activity and public policy issues in public education that impact behavior analysts and the students they serve. The following are the legislative priorities: a) Regional centersb) Restraint/seclusionc) Early picks upsd) Increase ability for behavior analysts to observe and collaborate with teachers in the school environmente) Allow ABA services that are medically prescribed and covered by healthinsurance to be provided in the school environmentIn 2024, there were 8 members present for the meeting. Discussion topics included: a) Requiring FBAs prior to the development of BIPs in schoolsb) Self-advocacy skills to individuals with disabilitiesc) Training parents on the TEA autism supplementd) Training BCBA to navigate the school systemThe goal of the TxABA Public Policy Technology Task Force is to research, review, and act on legislative activity and other issues related to the integration, regulation, and ethical use of advanced technology within Applied Behavior Analysis. This includes emerging tools such as telehealth, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, wearable technologies, data storage and analysis systems, and other digital applicatio

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 61.9%; rating input score 62
• Program expense ratio: 90.7%; rating input score 91

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 31.8%; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.96; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: Limited
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -32.3% per year; rating input score 0; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -3.8% per year; rating input score 0; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2% per year; rating input score 100; 46th percentile among comparable filings