Years-long waiting lists for Medicaid waiver services are all too common, but in a new twist, budget constraints may force Texas officials to rescind benefits from some who now receive them.
State officials say they may have to cut over 13,000 people with disabilities from the Medicaid waiver program. Many of those expected to be affected are currently on the state’s waiting list and have yet to receive any services, but some individuals will likely be cut who already receive waiver benefits.
That’s leaving recipients of the program and their families uneasy. Audrey Cullison, for example, has severe autism and just became eligible for the Medicaid waiver in September after lingering on the waiting list for nearly nine years. Now her mother is nervous that the family could be left without assistance yet again.
“I need that safety net, need to know [that] when I can’t take care of her anymore, there’s a place for her that’s set, that’s paid for. After nine years, I thought I didn’t have to worry about this anymore,” Cullison’s mom told The Texas Tribune. To read more click here.
Medicaid is supposed to pay for services for individuals who are institutionalized. The Waiver allows Medicaid to fund services in the home at far lower cost to the system.
.
Cutting the waiver will transfer the cost to parents, but only as long as they have the ability to pay. With the deteriorating economy, and parents running out of money, they will be faced with the prospect of having to discontinue the services that will prepare their children for a successful life as adults or having them raised by the state.
.
In the end, it will cost more, particularly when the state will be paying for their care for the rest of their lives without the prospect of getting any taxes back from them.
.
Leave it to the politicians to come up with another dumb plan.
thank god MEDICAID WAIVERS need to have their BUDGET CUT to the BONE to eliminate WASTE These waiver programs are mismanaged at the state level and by the contracted agencies. They waste tax payer dollars. My adult child walks independently, independently dresses, feeds herself, has a college degree and is capable of living independently. The contracted agency for the waiver programs in TEXAS are providing a 40 hr/week maid and nanny servides under the term “habilitation” in a one room apartment. Evidence was provided that the attendant working was shown to have committed fraud. OIG says it has more than a year waiting list to investigate any fruad. Attendant still being paid with Medicaid Funds . This person would have a job and be a productive adult if it were not for waiver program that contributes to her laziness. Why work when you can be on the government dole is her attitude. Instead she sits at home while the fraudulent attendant cares for the nondisabled husbands needs IF STATE AND CONTRACTED AGENCIES CANNOT ELIMINATE FRAUD AND MISUSE OF FUNDING THESE WAIVER PROGRAMS NEED TO BE CUT TO THE BONE. Sadly, many people really need these programs but in TEXAS they have such LAX policies. when you complaign to state representative, agencies contracted for these programs, they say they are all aware of the WASTE and ABUSE in these programs. However workers at the state do nothing about it. If you can help me to make people aware that waste and abuse are prevalent and get people that abuse the program off of it I would appreciate your help. This program has 33,000 people on a waiting list with a 10 year wait. It is a shame that state agencies workers allow this to happen. I Waiver Programs ruined my investment in this person. Wasted years of my dollars paying for PT,OT,tutors,etc only to have my disabled adult destroyed to become lazy white trash by Waiver Programs because of their mismanagement and policies. I have studied policies and can show you why this occurs.Please contact me.