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DHS outlines Waiver Reimagine goals; families, advocates warn proposed changes could force institutional placements
Summary
Department of Human Services officials briefed the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee on Waiver Reimagine, a multi-year plan to consolidate waiver programs, introduce transparent individual budgets and broaden self-direction; DHS said implementation has been delayed to Jan. 1, 2027.
The Department of Human Services presented an overview of its Waiver Reimagine project to the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. DHS officials said the multi-year initiative aims to simplify four disability waivers, create a common service menu, implement individual budgets grounded in assessment data and increase opportunities for self-direction.
Elise Bailey, budget director at DHS, summarized the project's goals: simplify information so people and families can understand available services, ensure equitable access to funding regardless of diagnosis or location, and expand informed choice and self-direction. "If we were to build it today, how would we build it and what would it look like?" Bailey said, describing why DHS has studied consolidation and budgeting since 2017.
Colin Stemper,…
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