Proposed Cuts to Medicaid Waivers Threaten Independent Living for People with Disabilities

Source: The New York Times | Published May 12, 2025

Thousands of people with disabilities across the United States may lose access to critical in-home care and support services if proposed Medicaid waiver cuts go through in several states. These waivers help cover personal care aides, home modifications, and medical equipment that make independent living possible.

Advocates warn that slashing funding could force individuals into institutions or leave them without essential daily assistance. In Texas, Florida, and Georgia, proposed budgets for 2025 include deep reductions to home- and community-based services (HCBS) waivers.

"It feels like our lives are on the chopping block," said Maria Jensen, a disability rights activist. "Without these services, many of us will lose not only our homes but our freedom."

Medicaid waivers are a lifeline for over 1.7 million Americans. They fund caregivers who assist with bathing, eating, and mobility, enabling individuals to remain in their communities rather than institutions. Waiting lists for waiver services already number in the hundreds of thousands nationwide.

Disability advocates are urging lawmakers to reconsider these cuts, emphasizing that community-based care is not only more humane but also more cost-effective in the long run.