RELEASE: Congressman Menefee Joins Colleagues in Demanding Action on Growing Medicaid Backlog

November 10, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Christian D. Menefee (TX-18) joined members of the Texas Democratic Delegation calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Texas Health and Human Services Commission to address the state's growing Medicaid backlog. Texas' Medicaid application backlog has grown from 1,671 pending applications in January 2026 to more than 237,000 by early September. The delays come as federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act place additional strain on an already overwhelmed state benefits system. In letters to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Stephanie Muth, the members called for an investigation into the backlog, including an evaluation of contracted vendors, and federal intervention if the state fails to adequately address the delays. “Our district has one of the highest concentrations of SNAP recipients in the state, yet families are going hungry and suffering without access to proper healthcare because of massive backlogs in Medicaid and SNAP applications brought on by Abbott and Trump,” said Congressman Menefee . “Folks are legally entitled to these benefits, yet Republicans remain hell-bent on withholding them from our most vulnerable communities.” The members also raised concerns about the impact of administrative changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cuts approximately $1 trillion in federal Medicaid funding over 10 years. Because Texas uses an integrated application system for programs like Medicaid and SNAP, technical errors and processing delays in one program can affect a person's access to other benefits. The letters also highlighted the consequences for vulnerable Texans, including children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. In one reported case, a pregnant Texas woman waited four months without an update on her Medicaid application, delaying access to coverage for prenatal care. The Medicaid backlog rose from 1,671 applications in January 2026 to 237,505 by early September 2026. In July, Texas processed 65% of Medicaid applications on time, down from 81% last year. The OBBBA cuts $1 trillion in Medicaid funding over ten years. The number of people participating in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Texas dropped by about 247,317 between September 2025 and July 2026. The letter was signed by Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Greg Casar (TX-35), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Al Green (TX-9), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-7). The members requested a response by November 30, 2026. To read the letters to Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Muth, click here and here .