Maryland Faces Second Year of Proposed Cuts to Developmental Disabilities Services

Governor's budget calls for $150 million in 'cost containment' measures for the Developmental Disabilities Administration

Feb. 2, 2026 at 10:07am

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The Moore administration's fiscal 2027 budget proposal includes $150 million in cuts to the state's Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), which oversees Medicaid waivers that provide a wide range of services for over 20,000 Marylanders with developmental disabilities. This is the second year in a row the DDA has been targeted for significant reductions, sparking concerns from advocates about the impact on services and worker wages.

Why it matters

The proposed DDA cuts would trigger a reduction in federal matching funds, resulting in an overall budget cut closer to $300 million. Advocates warn this could severely limit access to critical services like in-home caregiving, transportation, and employment support for some of Maryland's most vulnerable residents.

The details

The budget proposal includes three main 'cost containment' strategies: reducing wages for self-directed service providers, limiting the number of 'dedicated hours' of one-on-one support for community provider staff, and capping personal budgets for waiver recipients at $500,000. Officials say these measures are needed to address 'unsustainable' growth in DDA spending, but advocates argue they will have 'severe consequences' and disproportionately impact those with the highest support needs.

  • Governor Moore released the fiscal 2027 budget proposal in early February 2026.
  • Last year, the initial fiscal 2026 budget also proposed significant DDA cuts, prompting an outcry from advocates. Lawmakers later restored much of the proposed reduction, though there was still a $164 million cut to the agency.

The players

Tracie Feron

A Baltimore County resident and the mother of 29-year-old Connor Feron, who has autism and other medical conditions requiring round-the-clock care.

Alicia Wopat

President of the Self-Directed Advocacy Network of Maryland.

Laura Howell

CEO of the Maryland Association of Community Services.

Yaakov 'Jake' Weissmann

Acting Budget Secretary for the state of Maryland.

Wes Moore

Governor of Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“It takes a village to support him. What happens when that village is gone?”

— Tracie Feron, Baltimore County resident

“These proposals will have severe consequences.”

— Alicia Wopat, President, Self-Directed Advocacy Network of Maryland

“This is a tough issue, but it's one that we must tackle in a collaborative and bipartisan manner. Making this program more sustainable, so families in the future can rely on this, is essential.”

— Yaakov 'Jake' Weissmann, Acting Budget Secretary, Maryland

What’s next

With over 70 days left in the 2026 legislative session, both advocates for self-directed and community services plan to be very engaged with budget conversations as the days go on. Lawmakers and the administration will need to work together to find a solution that protects critical services for Marylanders with developmental disabilities.

The takeaway

The proposed cuts to Maryland's Developmental Disabilities Administration highlight the ongoing challenges of balancing state budgets and ensuring access to essential services for the state's most vulnerable residents. As the debate continues, policymakers will need to carefully weigh the tradeoffs and seek input from the disability community to find a sustainable path forward.