Grassroots Project Webinar: What to Know About the New 1915(c)(11) Waiver Authority

H.R. 1 creates a new Medicaid 1915(c)(11) waiver authority that allows states to offer home and community-based services (HCBS) to people who need support but do not yet meet an institutional level of care. We know that for many years states have had challenges serving everyone who needs supports, and that’s still a reality. At the same time, we do want to make sure there is clear information for advocates about waiver-related changes. This is one of those changes. Our speakers will be sharing more about the opportunities they see to address the needs of their community members through this new waiver. This session will explain what the new authority does, how it differs from traditional 1915(c) waivers, and what guardrails states must consider, including needs-based eligibility, cost limits, and protections against increasing wait times for people already seeking HCBS. Speakers will explain the requirements for this new waiver authority and discuss how disability advocates, state councils, providers, and community partners, can engage early in state planning, elevate community priorities, and push for implementation that is consistent with federal requirements and expands access without weakening existing HCBS systems.