General · Texas behavioral health news
Advocates, lawmakers want to fix long waits Texans with disabilities face for Medicaid services - KERA News
Texas HHSC (Google News) · May 6, 2026
In plain language
Many Texans with disabilities are facing long wait times to receive home and community-based services through Medicaid. Nearly 200,000 people are currently on interest lists, with some families waiting up to 18 years for specific programs. State lawmakers and advocates are now discussing ways to improve the system so people do not have to wait decades for support. While families wait, the state tries to connect them with local resources, though those services also face high demand.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Nearly 200,000 Texans with disabilities are waiting for home and community-based Medicaid services.
- The average wait time for some specific Medicaid waiver programs can reach 17 to 18 years.
- Texas does not evaluate eligibility before adding someone to an interest list, leading to potentially inaccurate totals.
- Rising costs and limited funding have restricted the number of available service spots each year.
- State lawmakers are exploring policy recommendations to restructure the list system and reduce waiting times.
- Local mental health and disability authorities are struggling to maintain services due to funding cuts and high demand.
Advocates, lawmakers want to fix long waits Texans with disabilities face for Medicaid services KERA News
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