State officials on finding ways to cut costs in mental health hospitals by five per cent have directed Health and Human Services Commission.

In four out of 11 hospitals in Texas 200 beds would be cut, one proposal states.

But this plan is not being favoured by everyone and Leslie Jay is one of them. David, her adopted child, was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome at a young age. Now David is 18-years-old and due to his condition he can not communicate. On Thursday Jay testified before the Health and Human Services Commission.

"They're talking about cutting hospital beds and that could be an impact on David because I'm not going to be around forever," she said.

Dr Lakey, Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services, said the last resort was cutting beds.

Dr Lakey said, "It's impossible for us to take a reduction of $134 million without having an impact on mental health services in the state of Texas."

costs from administration, frozen hiring and cut travel expenses. Have already been cut by the administration.

"You have to go into services. There's no other methodology for us mathematically to do that," Dr Lakey said.

All state agencies have been asked to give their lists of proposed budget to the governor’s office by February 15.