On February 12, 2026, the Bureau of Disabilities Services announced important proposed amendments to several Medicaid waivers that directly affect Hoosiers with disabilities including individuals and families served by New Hope of Indiana. These proposed changes involve the Community Integration and Habilitation (CIH) waiver, Family Supports (FSW) waiver, Health and Wellness waiver, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) waiver, and the 1915(b)(4) waiver—programs that form the backbone of community-based supports for many people with disabilities. Check out the proposed changes to the waivers here. With a projected effective date of August 1, 2026, the public comment period for these amendments is March 18, 2026, creating a vital opportunity for our community to make its voice heard.

For New Hope of Indiana, advocacy is not an optional part of our mission—it is central to ensuring the individuals we support have access to the services and independence they deserve. Waiver amendments influence everything from the availability of essential supports to qualification criteria and funding structures. These decisions carry real consequences for the people we serve, their families, and our dedicated team members. Those most affected by these waivers possess insight grounded in lived experience, and that perspective is critical. Public comment is one of the few mechanisms that ensures these voices reach policymakers before the state submits anything to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for federal approval.

To support community understanding, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is hosting three informational webinars. These sessions explain:

• The process of amending a waiver
• How to make public comments
• A high-level overview of the keys changes currently proposed

Webinar Dates (Eastern Time):

• Thursday, February 26 at 2 p.m. (Click here to join.)
• Monday, March 2 at 11 a.m. (Click here to join.)
• Tuesday, March 10 at 5 p.m. (Click here to join.)

These sessions will not collect comments, but they will help individuals, families, and providers—like New Hope—gain clarity on what is being proposed and what the changes could mean for the future of disability services in our state.

Sharing your input is straightforward. Anyone may send comments to ddrswaivernoticecomment@fssa.in.gov. Whether you write a few sentences or a full-page response, your experience and perspective matter. The most powerful advocacy often comes from honest stories of how waiver services support everyday life, what challenges remain, and what changes would make a meaningful difference.

At New Hope of Indiana, we believe that everyone deserves a voice in shaping the systems that impact their lives. This extended public comment period is an opportunity for all of us—families, caregivers, team members, and individuals we serve—to influence the future of community-based supports in Indiana. By offering feedback, attending a webinar, or encouraging others to get involved, you help strengthen the waiver system and the meaningful, person-centered supports that New Hope is committed to providing for every individual.

These amendments, and others coming next year, are very important to those we serve and their families, we will continue to keep you updated monthly in the Heartbeat.