Hundreds of thousands of Texas families have experienced prolonged waits for the state to process their Medicaid applications. Despite a federal mandate to process applications within 45 days, the median processing time in Texas currently stands at 79 days. Reports from families indicate struggles in accessing critical care during this period, including incidents where they could not afford necessary medical procedures, such as resetting a child’s broken nose. Additionally, healthcare providers have cited difficulties in securing lifesaving heart surgeries for patients.
These delays have been exacerbated since the federal government lifted pandemic-era protections last year. Investigations reveal that Texas expedited the removal process, leading to the disenrollment of more than 900,000 children due to procedural issues, such as incomplete forms, rather than ineligibility.
The situation with food benefits is similarly concerning. Recent state reports indicate a backlog of nearly 97,000 applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, with a median processing time of 33 days.
Efforts are being made to report on the persistent issues within Texas’ social safety net and identify their root causes. Input is sought from those directly affected by the delays and from experts familiar with the state’s processes. The goal is to hold accountable those responsible for overseeing these systems, including lawmakers, advocates, and the federal government, and to clarify any shortcomings in the state’s obligations.
Individuals are encouraged to fill out a provided form if they have been waiting for more than a month to hear about their Medicaid or SNAP application and have encountered medical or financial repercussions. Additionally, contributions are sought from those who work within the state system and can shed light on the reasons behind the backlog, such as IT issues, staffing challenges, and funding shortages. Healthcare workers and other experts with insights on these issues are also invited to contribute.
While filling out the form is the preferred method of contact, arrangements can be made for those who wish to share their experiences over the phone. Contact can also be made by calling 602-848-9609 and leaving a message with pertinent details. The privacy of participants is taken seriously, and any stories shared will be used for the purpose of reporting. Participants will be contacted if there is an intention to publish any part of their story. For those who prefer encrypted communication, guidance on using signal is available at propublica.org/tips/#signal, and email contact with the reporting team is also an option.
