Texas’ backlog of Medicaid applications grew from about 1,600 in January to more than 210,000 in August.
During the same period, the backlog for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, grew from about 3,700 to more than 150,000, according to data from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, or HHSC, released by Texans Care for Children – a statewide research and advocacy organization. The group worries the backlog could continue to grow.
“We’re very concerned that Texans are stuck waiting longer for healthcare and food,” said Diana Forester, director of health policy at Texans Care for Children. “We want to make sure pregnant women can start prenatal care quickly. We want to make sure that kids can see the doctor when they’re sick or need a checkup. We want to make sure people can eat.”