Take a step back and consider the real life impact of these proposed waiver changes. 

Behind every waiver number is a real person and a family who depends on these services to live safely and with dignity in their own home and community. Waiver services are what make it possible for their loved one to remain at home rather than in an institution. They are what allow individuals to participate in their communities, attend school, work, receive personal care, and have the dignity and independence we all deserve. 

A 56 hour soft cap is concerning because disability and support needs are not one size fits all. An exception process is only helpful if families can actually access it without having to reach a crisis first.

The changes to consumer directed services and Employer of Record responsibilities also concern me. Families already carry so much. They shouldn't have to become experts in Medicaid rules, payroll, employment requirements, and service administration just to make sure their loved one gets the care they need.

I'm also worried about the transition away from services facilitation. What may look like an administrative change on paper can feel very different to a family who relies on a familiar person to help navigate an already complicated system. Continuity, relationships, and trust matter.

And don't forget the impact on support coordinators. They are often the people families turn to when they don't know where else to go. Every new requirement creates more paperwork, questions, phone calls, and coordination but that takes time away from actually supporting the individual.

Maybe each change seems small on its own, but families and support coordinators experience all of these changes together. The overall impact matters.

Please listen to the individuals receiving services, the families caring for them, and the support coordinators working with them every day. These are people's lives.

Please remember the people behind the paperwork. 

With sincere hope that the voices of families and support coordinators will be heard,

A scared and frustrated 22 year old caregiver from Woodbridge, VA