New Disability Care Restrictions in Arizona

New restrictions set to take effect Oct. 1 will reduce covered service hours and tighten eligibility for Arizona’s in-home disability care programs, including Parents as Paid Caregivers, reports the AZ Mirror. The changes, authorized under House Bill 2945, are intended to curb rising Medicaid costs but are expected to shift greater financial and caregiving burdens onto families of children with developmental disabilities. Parents warn the policy could lead to job loss, increased out-of-pocket expenses, and disruptions in care that threaten their children’s progress. While state officials cite budget stabilization as the goal, advocates argue the cuts will worsen affordability challenges and strain low-income and rural households.