December 11, 2025
The Boost News
SPOTLIGHT: VACCINES
It’s fact that children with disabilities, especially those with compromised immune systems, are vulnerable to complications from vaccine-preventable diseases. Which makes each Trump administration-related announcement regarding vaccines so infuriating. This week came several such headlines.
First, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to end the universal U.S. recommendation for the newborn dose of the safe and effective hepatitis B vaccine, Panel Votes to Stop Recommending Hepatitis B Shots at Birth for Most Newborns.
Second, the Children’s Health Defense, the nonprofit group founded by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., petitioned the F.D.A. to revoke approval of the Covid-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna.
FYI, this week the CDC also reported that Covid Vaccines Reduced Children’s Likelihood of E.R. and Urgent Care Visits.
It’s enough to make your head spin.
STATE NEWS
N.Y. health plans accuse Medicaid home care company PPL of violating antitrust laws (Spectrum Local News 1)
OPINION: With consistent oversight, New York’s CDPAP is stronger than ever You won’t be shocked to learn that PPL’s CEO is on the offensive. This follows his rosy Daily News opinion piece. (Empire Report)
Disability rights and patient advocacy groups file lawsuit against Delaware’s physician-assisted suicide law (Delaware Public Media)
How Oregon Could Cut Disabled Kids’ Services in Response To Trump Budget Bill A specific, focused look at a national problem. (Medical Motherhood)
Louisiana abruptly cuts two Medicaid contracts, putting care options for 488,500 in limbo (Louisiana Illuminator)
Federal, state budget pressure threatens Missouri at-home disability care program The state is poised to limit spending in anticipation of federal cuts to safety net programs. (Missouri Independent)
New Mexico House Republicans request federal investigation of state developmental disability program (Santa Fe New Mexican)
Housing shortage for Vermonters with developmental disabilities spurs call for more funding (Valley News)
EDUCATION
Education Department workers targeted in layoffs are returning to tackle civil rights backlog The Office for Civil Rights had a backlog of about 20,000 discrimination cases when Trump took office in January. It has grown to more than 25,000. The government, however, still hopes to lay off the staffers. (AP)
For decades, students of color have been denied dyslexia diagnosis and intervention (The 19th)
HIGHER ED
Nurses, Social Workers Face ‘Bad Situation’ Under Proposed Loan Limits The push by Congress and Trump admin to limit the number of “professional” programs that require advanced degrees and licenses leaves out physical therapists, specialized teachers and others. (The 74)
What would education’s omission as a ‘professional degree’ mean? (K-12 Dive)
THE COURTS
Supreme Court struggles over whether Alabama can execute man found to be intellectually disabled (AP)
HOME CARE
Home Care Workers Are Losing Minimum Wage Protections — and Fighting Back A proposal by the Trump admin intends to end their rights to federal minimum wage and overtime. (Capital and Main)
These people know how to fix the caregiving crisis. Is it doable? The Cost of Care survey was launched in May, asking readers about their caregiving experience and what solutions would make caregiving easier. Nearly 450 people responded to the survey. (USA Today)
Solving the Home Care Quandary (New York Times)
DISCRIMINATION
Cracker Barrel to pay settlement to students after Maryland disability discrimination claims A group of students with autism were denied service in December 2024. (NBC News)
ACCESSIBILITY
Trump administration reverses font change meant to aid readers with disabilities (Scripps News)
VOTING RIGHTS
S.C. NAACP and Disabled Voters Challenge Restrictions on Voter Assistance (ACLU)
DISABILITY JUSTICE
After Alice Wong’s Death, Her Friends Vow to Keep Fighting for Disability Justice (KQED)
PARKS
Disney changed the disability policies for their parks. Here’s what to know (PBS)
DATING
A unique app is changing the dating game for disabled and chronically ill people (AP)
TRAVEL
Trump administration waives $16.7 million in fines for American Airlines over wheelchair issues (Reuters)
DESIGN
How neurodivergent households design ‘a home that knows your brain’ (The Guardian)