Comment Period for DD and Med Fragile Waivers Ends March 30th – State Plans Only One Day to Review Comments
The New Mexico Health Care Authority’s Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) is seeking public comments on its proposed Request for a Renewal of two of its §1915(c) Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs.
DDSD has proposed numerous major changes for both the Developmental Disabilities Waiver Program and the Medically Fragile Waiver Program.
Clients of the Waiver programs, and their families, as well as advocates are encouraged to look very closely at the renewal application.
There are some significant changes proposed and identified below in the “Major Changes” section of the application of each program.
On a related note, the Health Care Authority and the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division stated in its notification letter that, “The State intends to submit the renewal to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 1, 2026.”
Given the importance of these two renewal applications (which if approved by the federal government, would be operable for five years beginning July 1, 2026), it seems inappropriate for the state to take only one day to review and take into consideration the public comments made in person at the public hearing as well as those written and orally submitted in the closing hours of the comment period on March 30, 2026.
There is a public hearing to receive testimony on the proposed waiver renewal applications for each of the Waiver programs scheduled for Monday morning March 30, 2026. The hearing can be attended in person and virtually using Microsoft Teams format (more specific information for both meetings can be found at the end of this article).
The Developmental Disabilities Waiver Program is scheduled for 9:00 AM, and the Medically Fragile Waiver Program is scheduled for 10:30 AM.
The public may also submit written and or recorded comments (addresses and phone information for either method can also be found at the end of this article).
The Candle has copied and pasted below, the listing of proposed major changes as presented in each application for renewal.
Find a full copy of the renewal application for the Developmental Disabilities Waiver by clicking here.
Find a full copy of the renewal application for the Medically Fragile Waiver by clicking here.
Developmental Disabilities Waiver Program
Medically Fragile Waiver
Important Dates – Developmental Disabilities Waiver Program
A public hearing to receive testimony on this proposed waiver renewal will be held on March 30, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., Mountain Time (MT). The hearing will be held in the Large Conference Room at the Administrative Services Division (ASD), 1474 Rodeo Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87505 and via Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24338884021918?p=rpDUouLSkZG8bGVkTE
Meeting ID: 243 388 840 219 18
Passcode: MC6Hy3tz
Dial in by phone
+1 505-312-4308,,221966294# United States, Albuquerque
Phone conference ID: 221 966 294#
Interested parties may submit written comments directly to: Health Care Authority, Office of the Secretary, ATT: Medical Assistance Division Public Comments, P.O. Box 2348, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2348.
Recorded comments may be left at (505) 827-1337. Interested persons may also address comments via electronic mail to: HCA-madrules@hca.nm.gov. Written mail, electronic mail and recorded comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time (MT) on March 30, 2026. Written and recorded comments will be given the same consideration as oral testimony made at the public hearing.
Important Dates – Medically Fragile Waiver
A public hearing to receive testimony on this proposed waiver renewal will be held on March 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., Mountain Time (MT). The hearing will be held in the Large Conference Room at the Administrative Services Division (ASD), 1474 Rodeo Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87505 and via Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/26928763435801?p=EqWtX5SH1k2xJSnhOm
Meeting ID: 269 287 634 358 01
Passcode: ba2Sx68v
Dial in by phone
+1 505-312-4308,,109096545# United States, Albuquerque
Phone conference ID: 109 096 545#
Interested parties may submit written comments directly to: Health Care Authority, Office of the Secretary, ATT: Medical Assistance Division Public Comments, P.O. Box 2348, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-2348.
Recorded comments may be left at (505) 827-1337. Interested persons may also address comments via electronic mail to: HCA-madrules@hca.nm.gov. Written mail, electronic mail and recorded comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time (MT) on March 30, 2026. Written and recorded comments will be given the same consideration as oral testimony made at the public hearing.