Your Voice Matters

Tell the Budget Conference Committee to Adopt the Senate's 2% Increase for Waiver Services

Neither the House nor the Senate included the funding increases requested by the Virginia Network of Private Providers (VNPP) to offset rising costs, including scheduled increases in Virginia’s minimum wage and the cost-of-living increases providers have experienced over the past three years. 

The House budget currently includes no additional funding for residential services. The Senate budget at least includes a 2% increase in 2026 and 2027, but it does not address the full scope of services or the level of funding needed to sustain the system.

As the budget now moves to conference committee, a small group of legislators will work to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate budgets. At a minimum, it is critical that the House agree to adopt the Senate’s 2% increases for the remaining waiver services that were not included in the Governor’s introduced budget.

We need providers, families, staff, and advocates to contact the budget conferees and ask them to support increases in waiver service rates.

Virginia has invested in creating waiver slots, but across the Commonwealth many of those slots remain unused because providers cannot recruit and retain staff at the current rates. Without rate adjustments that keep pace with rising wages and operating costs, the system cannot deliver the services that individuals and families depend on.

If you are able, please take a few minutes today to email the members of the Budget Conference Committee. These legislators will determine the final version of the state budget and whether rate increases for DD Waiver services are included. Even a brief message from providers across the Commonwealth can make a difference. Feel free to use the sample message below or share your own experience about the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff at current rates.