March 6, 2026
The Boost News
AUTISM
Autism researchers form independent committee as counter to Kennedy-appointed group Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s remade panel that guides national autism policy includes members with ties to groups that link vaccines to autism, contrary to scientific evidence. (Reuters)
Study suggests Trump’s unproven autism claims influenced care Tylenol orders for pregnant women showing up in ER rooms dropped and prescriptions of leucovorin for children rose. Doctor groups say that leucovorin shouldn’t be broadly used for autism. (AP)
MEDICAID CUTS
Trump’s Cuts to Medicaid Threaten Services That Help Disabled People Live at Home (KFF Health News)
MEDICAID & ALLEGED FRAUD
Trump admin widens anti-fraud efforts with Medicaid probe in New York It comes a week after the administration froze nearly $260 million in Medicaid funding in Minnesota over similar accusations. Targeted Democratic state officials have decried the moves as politically motivated and potentially disastrous. (AP)
In lawsuit, Minnesota accuses Trump administration of ‘weaponizing’ Medicaid funding (NPR)
Understanding Medicaid Home Care Amid CMS Focus on Potential Fraud and Abuse (KFF)
SNAP
Red states target SNAP fraud, errors under threat of costly federal penalties (Stateline)
EMPLOYMENT
Chicago company offers model as Illinois phases out subminimum wages The state law diverges from the U.S. Department of Labor’s 14(c) waiver program, which allows employers to pay less than minimum wage to workers whose disabilities. (Axios)
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Special Ed Enrollment Tops 8 Million Nationwide Nearly 8.2 million kids ages 3 to 21 qualified for special ed services in 2024, an increase of more than 300,000 compared to 2023. (Disability Scoop/paywall)
Families turn to states for civil rights support as Trump dismantles the Ed Dept. (AP)
Special ed advocates warn against future program transfers Moving IDEA services out of the Ed Dept. could diminish oversight for civil rights and accountability. (K-12 Dive)
HIGHER EDUCATION
What’s Driving the Spike in College Students with Disabilities Universities have admitted significantly more students with disabilities over the last decade as diagnoses for A.D.H.D. and anxiety increase. (New York Times)
Ed Dept. urged to broaden ‘professional’ student definition Professional students will be able to borrow $100,000 more than grad students going into health care, education and more. (Higher Ed Dive)
STATE NEWS
Colorado wrongly spent $78M on autism therapy, Office of Inspector General says (Colorado Sun)
Delaware lawmakers consider requests to boost Medicaid reimbursements (WDEL.com)
Idaho considers an ‘apocalyptic’ choice for disabled people and families A look at the state’s difficult budget decisions. (19th News)
Maryland families ‘can’t even imagine’ impact of Gov. Moore’s disability funding cuts (Fox Baltimore)
Maryland legislators introduce bills to help locate people with disabilities who elope (WYPR.org)
Nebraska court greenlights challenge to one-size-fits-all disability care mandate (Pacific Legal)
Bill seeks to address abuse and neglect in New Hampshire’s disability care system (New Hampshire Bulletin)
NJ working group says special ed program goals must be measurable, parents need more time to prepare (Chalkbeat)
DOJ set to file suit against New York Gov. Hochul’s admin over allegedly rigged revamp of NY’s $11B Medicaid homecare program, CDPAP It could hone in on accusations surrounding the homecare mess, including alleged bid rigging and non-compliance with Medicaid billing rules, sources say. (New York Post)
PARENTING
The Moral Energy Problem Two Dutch researchers explain “the quiet hopelessness” of parents of disabled children. (Psychology Today)
RESEARCH
The disability squeeze: Out-of-pocket expenses and unmet needs for disability-related goods and services in the U.S. (Disability and Health Journal)
The limited role of sex ed and contraception use in unintended pregnancy by disability status among young adults (Disability and Health Journal)
Survey Results: State Perspectives on Potential Medicaid Disability Service Reductions (Center for Health Care Strategies)
YOU LOVE TO SEE IT
Maryland entrepreneur with autism expands pretzel company after millions watch online (WUSA9)