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Families and providers urge Utah lawmakers to protect DSPD waivers as chairs refine budget cuts
Summary
Dozens of parents, providers and clinicians urged the Social Services Appropriation Subcommittee not to cut Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) waivers, warning that reductions to reimbursement rates or transportation supports would destabilize care, increase institutional placements and forfeit federal match.
The Social Services Appropriation Subcommittee heard extended testimony from parents, disability service providers and agency leaders urging protection of the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) and related waiver programs.
Multiple family witnesses described long waits and severe strain. Lisa Stamps Jones said her daughter has been on the DSPD waiting list for 20 years and urged the committee to avoid freezes and cuts that push families toward crisis. “When people like her age out of the school system, families are placed in a real bind,” she said.
Parents and providers warned staff proposals to shift non‑medical transportation to public transit or to reduce waiver reimbursement rates would be impractical for many clients and could increase costs. Jefferson Ford, speaking for his twin brother with severe autism, said shifting transportation to UTA would make care inaccessible: “Public transit isn't an option for someone with severe behavioral disabilities … it would make it so my brother couldn't be at home anymore.”
Providers described staffing and rate pressures. Mary Anne Neff, liaison for the Independent Support Coordination Association, said privatization and low rate growth have constrained the provider market; a recent rate study recommends rates 20% above current levels. Angie Pina, director of DSPD, told the committee a December rate study recommends a 24% increase and cautioned that proposed cuts would reverse stabilization achieved after a prior 19.5% rate increase enacted during the public‑health emergency. Pina also stressed that any state rate change must be approved by Medicaid and that cuts risk provider exits and lost capacity.
Committee chairs and staff acknowledged the testimony. In multiple instances the chairs removed line items touching DSPD from the active cut list, but staff noted one DSPD transportation item (line 86) remained under consideration and would require careful analysis because UTA capacity is limited and shifting costs could create new county or federal funding needs.
The committee did not take final votes during the witness day. Staff asked witnesses and stakeholders to meet with committee staff to prepare appropriation requests or language prior to the scheduled vote date.
