Providers and families urge Appropriations to fund DD waiver rate study and boost provider pay as wait list grows

The Department of Health updated the House Appropriations Committee on Wyoming27s developmental disabilities (DD) waiver programs and said a departmental budget request will blend three elements: limited targeting of the waiting list, funding for "extraordinary care" cases, and a provider‑rate component. The DoH presentation was followed by testimony from direct support professionals (DSPs), providers and family guardians who asked the committee to fund a recent cost study and increase provider reimbursement to stabilize the workforce.

Director Stefan Johansen and Medicaid staff told the committee that the supports waiver served 1,244 people and the comprehensive waiver served 1,701 as of the September report and that the wait list stood at 425 applicants. Johansen said the department27s upcoming budget request will not fully fund the wait list but will propose a blended…