This a a great article but this reporter neglected to inform the public of the unfairness and severity of Cuts in regards to the pediatric population in Las Vegas. Medicaid reimbursement was cut in hospitals by 5%; but with the elimination of the Pediatric Enhancement Rate, specialty physicians like Dr. Stewart and pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapists (as well as other medical professional subgroups) were handed a 27%-33% rate cut in September. With overhead costs of some of these clinics, small business took upwards of 45% cuts in regards to their Medicaid clients. This is why we cannot continue to "make ends meet" and provide quality services to special needs children and their families of Las Vegas. There are some speciality physicians and therapists that have decide to no longer accept new Medicaid clients or seek other populations such as adults or clients with other insurances to stay in business. The parents of the children with Medicaid who are taxpayers and productive members of our society, are now forced with the decision of leaving this state in order to get (deserved) medical care for their children. They are faced with having nowhere in this community or state to get the services their children need and deserve! If they cannot find the necessary services for their children, the "window of opportunity" closes for improvement. Should they (families with special needs children) remain here in Nevada without speciality care, the state may have to pay much more to take care of these children as they get older. Without proper medical and therapsutic services when they are young and growing, these children may require more public assistance later.

The children of this community are our future. Medical and educational programs should be the last cut!

For those parents out there that already lost or are in fear of losing quality physician and therapy services... WRITE YOUR LEGISLATURE!!! NOW!!! We can change this in the next session starting Feb 2nd of this year!!! Demand that the Pediatric Enhancement Rate be reinstated and retroactive immediately so that your children can get the services they DESERVE within this state!!!!