Part 3: How to Advocate for Your Rights  

To State Agencies

People can share their experiences and make their voices heard in several ways. You can provide your feedback to the state agencies that run Medicaid. DHHS and the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (OIDD) are required to request “public comment” before making major changes to the Medicaid program. For example: 

• DHHS must request public comment before changing state plan services or waiver services. DHHS must also request public comment on its waiver programs every five years during the process of renewing them with CMS. DHHS posts items requiring public comment on their website. 
• The office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities must request public comment before making changes to its internal policies called Directives. OIDD posts items requiring public comment on their website.  

To State Legislators

Medicaid members can also advocate by contacting their state lawmakers and providing information about their experiences with the Medicaid program.