(The Center Square) -Organizations that care for people with disabilities say conflicting state deadlines could delay a promised Medicaid funding increase for another year. The Louisiana Department of Health is developing new reimbursement rates for home- and community-based services, which help people with disabilities receive care outside institutions. LDH officials have said they would seek full funding for the new rates in the fiscal year 2028 budget. The groups said current Medicaid payments do not fully cover the cost of care and warned that another delay would worsen workforce shortages and financial pressure on providers. They asked LDH to explain how it plans to include the rate increase in its budget request and confirm that it will seek full funding.