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Texas families could lose at-home nursing under stricter Medicaid rule

Some children who receive private duty nursing, a more continuous type of medical care in their homes, could lose their ability to live at home if an HHSC rule change goes into effect.

JaReen Williams adjusts an iPad for her sixteen year old daughter, Lydia, as Lydia navigates to one of her comfort shows, Charlie Brown, in preparation for her triweekly treatment by a nurse on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Katy.

A glimpse of what a nurse needs for a tri-weekly treatment for Lydia, 16, to safely empty her system in her home on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Katy. Williams has an entire room in her house dedicated to various treatments for her daughter complete with a hospital bed, linens, gloves, paper towels and other needs.
JaReen Williams in her home on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Katy.

Nurse monitoring

Jessie Sage Cheng receives a towel from a nurse to help wipe the face of her 11-year-old daughter at their home in Duncanville, TX on April 9, 2024. Cheng has a nurse to help her care for her daughter as she balances working as a nurse herself, going to grad school, and being a single mother.

An ongoing debate

Left: Jessie Sage Cheng wipes her 11-year-old daughter’s face  at their home in Duncanville, TX on April 9, 2024. Right: Jessie Sage Cheng holds her daughter’s hand as they lay in bed together at their home in Duncanville, TX on April 9, 2024. Cheng says her daughter’s absolute favorite thing to do is snuggle with her mom in their bed.

Trying to work


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Health care State government Medicaid