AUSTIN — Dozens of parents railed against Texas’ managed care system for medically fragile children Wednesday, arguing that too much bureaucracy and a lack of accountability have made access to medication, therapy, equipment and health care difficult to obtain.

They shared their children’s health challenges — ranging from autism to multiple brain surgeries and suffering from thousands of seizures a day — with members of the House Committee on Human Services. The committee is charged with studying whether the Medicaid managed system is sufficient for Texans and their families.

In a day-long hearing, parents shared tearful stories of trying to navigate the system in order to get the care their children with medically complex health need. Some said they struggled to find physicians registered to provide them services, or that bureaucracies kept their favored provider from getting access to the program. Others said struggled to get prescriptions, wheelchairs or proper beds.

Others, including adults with disabilities, testified that they found advocates and compassionate staff within the system despite their struggles within managed care. Some said the managed care system has well worked for them or their family.

Several physicians and representatives of managed care operators who testified before the committee said they found the testimony from parents and patients eye-opening and vowed to use the stories to improve their services.

Managed care is a system of health care delivery meant to create efficiencies and manage Medicaid program health care costs by limiting patients to certain doctors and hospitals.

House Speaker Joe Straus ordered the committee to study managed care in Texas during the legislative off-season. The interim charge specifically seeks feedback from participants and providers in the STAR, STAR Health, STAR Kids and STAR+Plus managed care programs.

Lawmakers are expected to develop a report before the 2019 legislative session.

Andrea Zelinski covers politics for the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com.