The Texas Medicaid Application Backlog Just Keeps Getting Worse
We recently shared the news of the growing number of Texans stuck waiting for the state to process their applications for Medicaid health insurance.
Unfortunately, the backlog is now worse. In September 2026, approximately 238,000 Medicaid applications were waiting in the queue — meaning state workers had not even started processing them. That backlog was just 2,000 applications in January but has grown steadily all year.
As a result, more pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and seniors are facing delays getting the health coverage they need.
We urge state leaders to get to work immediately to identify to causes of the spike in the backlog and implement solutions. Texans who are eligible for health care should not be kept waiting!