Helping Communities with Better Support Act

S 1989, the Helping Communities with Better Support Act, expands Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers to cover more people with disabilities who previously lacked eligibility under existing rules. It allows states to approve waivers covering HCBS for individuals meeting disability definitions under the ADA or Rehabilitation Act, provided states demonstrate no impact on wait times for current beneficiaries and report detailed data on applicant waitlists and service delivery. Key provisions require states to publicly share transparency metrics starting in 2028, including average wait times for services, fulfillment rates of authorized hours, and how services differ for newly covered individuals. The bill directly affects states administering Medicaid waivers and people with disabilities seeking home care services, aiming to improve access while increasing accountability through standardized reporting.