With decisions being made regarding the State budget and the Reformation of the Early Intervention Program, I want to state how deeply concerned I am about the proposals currently before you regarding the Early Intervention Program. The current proposal will turn an educational program that serves developmentally delayed and medically fragile infants and toddlers over to HMOs and insurance companies. Although we all believe that insurance companies should have a part in reimbursement for these services, the burden of collecting payment cannot be shifted onto the providers. It needs to remain the state's responsibility to recover from insurance companies. Providers of Early Intervention cannot be forced to join multiple insurance companies. These are licensed professionals with a great many years experience working with infants and toddlers. The Governor's proposal will drive an already depleted roster of professionals from the field, greatly endangering service delivery to the children and families from appropriately experienced and qualified clinicians. Governor Cuomo also has proposed a less than arms length clause. This would prohibit the same professional from evaluating and treating a child. We are all licensed professionals, bound by professional codes of conduct and ethics. This is akin to telling a physician he cannot diagnose and then treat the same patient. Please, eliminate these proposals from the passage of the “One House” budget bills and the final adoption of the budget. So many young New York State citizens depend on your leadership. Thank you.