General · Texas behavioral health news
40,000 pregnant Texans faced month-long wait for Medicaid application to be processed - KERA News
Texas HHSC (Google News) · May 12, 2026
In plain language
Thousands of pregnant people in Texas have faced significant delays in obtaining healthcare coverage through Medicaid. Recent data shows over 40,000 applicants waited more than a month for their applications to be processed, with many waiting over 60 days. These delays in coverage, combined with a shortage of doctors who accept Medicaid, can make it difficult for families to access essential prenatal care during the first trimester. Timely checkups are vital for the health of both the mother and the baby.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- More than 40,000 pregnant Texans waited over 30 days for Medicaid application processing.
- Nearly 24,000 applicants faced wait times exceeding 60 days between March 2025 and February 2026.
- Federal standards require states to complete Medicaid applications within 45 days.
- Once enrolled, many patients still struggle to find doctors who accept Medicaid due to administrative burdens.
- Only 18.5% of high-risk patients were able to get prenatal appointments within the state-mandated five-day window.
- Advocates are calling for technology updates to the state's eligibility system to reduce manual entry errors and delays.
40,000 pregnant Texans faced month-long wait for Medicaid application to be processed KERA News
Need to talk to someone in Texas? Browse Texas-licensed telehealth therapists. In crisis, call or text 988.