Federal 1915(c) HCBS waiver expansion
Public Law 119-21 creates a future Medicaid 1915(c) pathway allowing CMS to approve standalone HCBS waivers beginning July 1, 2028.
Federal · Effective Soon · Effective Jul 1, 2028
What it is
- What changed
- Public Law 119-21 section 71121 amends section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act so that, beginning July 1, 2028, the Secretary may approve a standalone waiver for home or community-based services under specified conditions, including a state showing that approval will not materially increase wait times for people under other 1915(c) waivers.
- Why it matters
- This creates a future federal HCBS pathway that states may choose to pursue. The caregiver-facing question is not immediate eligibility, but whether and how states design new waiver options before the 2028 effective date.
- Who it touches
- Family caregivers, People receiving care, Businesses and agencies that must complyMedicaid HCBS beneficiaries, family caregivers, disabled people, older adults, state Medicaid agencies
- What it does
- Funds programs or services
- Identifiers
- Pub. L. 119-21
Sources
Last reviewed Jul 4, 2026. This is information, not legal advice; check the source for the current text.