The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking public comments through Oct. 19, 2026, on a redesign of the National Health Interview Survey that would shorten questionnaires and shift more responses online and by mail starting in 2028, according to an Aug. 20 Federal Register notice (Docket CDC-2026-1387).
NCHS says the draft adult questionnaire would keep foundational disability and functional-status measures based on the Washington Group Short Set, along with core items on chronic conditions, insurance, and care access. Because self-administered modes require shorter instruments, the notice says many detailed questions fielded annually from 2019 through 2027 are not in the 2028 drafts.
What advocates flag
Medicaid Monitor reported Oct. 2 that the draft drops a physician-diagnosed intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism item while retaining the functional Short Set. That claim comes from secondary review of the drafts; CDC's Federal Register summary does not list each removed question by name. NCHS asks commenters who want additions to name the minimum question set they need.
Why this matters for providers and DSPs
National I/DD prevalence and health-gap figures often flow from NHIS into Medicaid and HCBS debates. If diagnosis-specific items shrink to functional screens only, agencies and advocates may lose a long-running way to track people with intellectual disability and related labels—even as DSP workforce arguments still need clear population data. Comments are due Oct. 19 via Regulations.gov.