Meeting At A Pivotal Moment

Last week, we sat down with Rep. Greene, Rep. Goss-Reaves, Rep. Pierce, the President and CEO of INARF, Katy Stafford-Cunningham,  and Holly Wimsatt -Director of BDDS. The conversations were thoughtful, direct, and honest-- real dialogue about where Indiana is headed - especially as the state prepares for the 2027 Medicaid Waiver Reset.

One of the most important parts of the day wasn’t what we said - it was what we asked.

“What does value look like from your seat?”
“How are you evaluating services right now?”
“What concerns are you hearing?”

Because if we don’t understand the lens they’re using, we can’t effectively explain ours.

The Data Is Strong

We shared the data, and right now, music therapy supports thousands of Hoosiers across FSW and CIH waivers — roughly 16.4% of participants on those waivers are receiving music therapy services---significant utilization!

Unfortunately, utilization alone isn’t enough. In a year when Medicaid pressures are very real, every service is being examined through sustainability and cost-control lenses.

Sooooooooo…..we reframed the conversation.

Music therapy isn’t an “extra.” It’s a stabilizer. It builds communication where behaviors escalate, it supports regulation before crisis intervention is needed, and it strengthens motor planning, executive function, and independence in ways that reduce reliance on higher-cost services later.

When reimbursement caps squeeze sustainability, providers don’t just tighten belts - they exit decreasing access, and when access shrinks, crisis services increase. That systems ripple is something decision-makers understand.

When the Room Leans In

Guess what happened?... They leaned in.

We were invited to help coordinate Madison County tours with local stakeholders and champions so legislators can see programs in action. Not just read about them. See them. Experience them. Meet the families. Meet the therapists.

And through BDDS, we secured a connection with HSRI to discuss the Waiver Reset process. That’s not a small door opening. HSRI plays a significant role in how services are modeled and evaluated moving forward. Being in that conversation ensures music therapy is discussed as an outcomes-based service, not a misunderstood line item.

Each representative brought a different perspective. Some focused on fiscal responsibility. Some asked about access in rural counties. Some wanted to better understand the science behind what we do. Everyone expressed appreciation for proactive engagement instead of reactive frustration. 

We are positioning music therapy not as something that needs defending out of sentiment, but something worth sustaining because it works.

What's At Stake in the Medicaid Waiver Reset

The Waiver Reset will shape the next decade of disability services in Indiana. Services will be restructured, meaning funding models will shift and definitions will tighten. We’re already seeing this with the caps implemented this year. 

Our goal is to make sure music therapy is not quietly sidelined in that process.

We left the Statehouse with stronger relationships, clearer insight, and tangible next steps. But more importantly, we left knowing that when we speak clearly, collaboratively, and confidently - people listen.

Now we keep going because systems don’t shift overnight. They shift through persistent, informed, steady pressure.

And we’re at the table.