If your family relies on Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) or managed long-term care in New York, there is an important opportunity coming up to share your voice.
The New York State Department of Health is hosting two public hearings on July 31 and August 11, 2026, to discuss the extension of the Medicaid 1115 Waiver. This waiver is what allows the state to provide many of the flexible community supports and health-related social needs services that our families depend on. The current waiver expires in early 2027, and the state is asking the federal government to extend it.
You can attend the hearings virtually or submit written comments by August 21, 2026. Speaking up helps ensure that the needs of the autism and developmental disability community are front and center as these programs are renewed.
You can find all the details on how to register for the hearings or submit your comments on the official Department of Health waiver page.