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DHS seeks 600 additional HCBS slots, funded by PASS premium tax, to chip away at 3,400–3,500 waiting list
Summary
The Department of Human Services told the committee it will seek a waiver amendment to add 600 slots (plus 100 priority slots) to community and employment supports, funded by premium tax revenue from the PASS program, to reduce a multi‑year waiting list.
Mark Wye and Melissa Stone of the Department of Human Services presented a rule amendment asking the committee to review an expansion of the Community and Employment Supports waiver that would add 600 slots and 100 priority slots funded by premium tax revenue from the PASS program.
DHS said the waiting list for waiver services currently "hovers around 3,400 to 3,500" people on most days; adding the slots is intended to reduce that backlog. The 100 priority slots are earmarked for children entering DCFS custody who need waiver services. DHS said revenue from a premium tax on PASS membership premiums is the designated funding source to support additional slots.
Committee members probed cost projections, oversight and evaluation methods. DHS described an external quality review organization (EQRO) that conducts reviews and face-to-face satisfaction surveys and said it will continue annual rate-setting with its actuary (Milliman). Members also asked whether available capacity in state-run human development centers could be used to help urgent cases; DHS said intake staff inform callers about that option and eligibility criteria are the same.
DHS estimated existing slots at roughly 3,800 and said approval of 600 additional slots would increase capacity to about 4,400. DHS acknowledged attrition opens roughly 50 slots per year but that new enrollments are steady, with many new waitlist entries being children; historically, some adults signed up as children experienced a 9–10 year wait.
Why this matters: The expansion would use a state-designated premium tax funding stream to reduce long waits for home and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities. Legislators asked DHS for additional data on program effectiveness and to provide EQRO materials for committee review.
Next steps: The committee reviewed the rule without objection and DHS agreed to provide requested EQRO documentation and follow-up details on projections and provider negotiation standards.
