April 23, 2026
The Boost News
SPOTLIGHT: MEDICAID
Dr. Oz announces a 50-state audit of Medicaid program oversight
They’re going for broke.
On Tuesday, Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, announced that the Trump administration will require all 50 states to explain their plans to revalidate some of their Medicaid providers “in a national escalation of anti-fraud efforts that have so far largely focused on specific states,” reports the AP.
To put this in a bit of context, the article notes that, earlier this month, CMS “made a significant error in figures it used to help justify a fraud probe in New York. The acknowledgment deepened doubts in the administration’s methods and raised a common criticism that has been made about the second Trump administration — that it tends to attack first and confirm the facts later.”
This blog post from Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy posits that long-standing state-based efforts to combat fraud against Medicaid continue to improve, and that state Medicaid agencies are in the best position to identify and address fraud within their programs. It has lots of interesting data, if you’re up for the read.
And…
Families Defend Disability Services Amid Medicaid Cuts (KFF)
ADA
Trump administration delays rule aimed at improving disability access in schools Public colleges, K-12 schools, local governments and other public institutions will have an extra year to make their digital materials fully accessible for people with disabilities, according to the Dept. of Justice. (NPR)
Trump Administration Casts Doubt On New ADA Rules Disability advocates have argued that the rule was under consideration for more than a decade before it was finalized and that delaying its implementation will harm the very individuals who it is intended to help. (Disability Scoop/paywall)
AAPD and Leading Disability Organizations Respond to DOJ Title II Web Accessibility Interim Final Rule “Extending the compliance deadline … is a profound disappointment and a serious setback for the disability community,” said Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities. (AAPD)
EDUCATION
What Will Life Be Like after the Education Department? Look at What Came Before, Experts Say (The 74 Million)
Early intervention services for young children boost later test scores (The Hechinger Report)
OPINION: School Vouchers Fail the Civil Rights Test. The Federal Program Is No Exception “Public schools exist to serve every child. They are legally required to accept all students and provide the services they need, regardless of their race or ethnicity, disability status, language needs, sexual orientation or academic performance. This obligation is the heart of equal opportunity in our country — and private school vouchers were built to bypass it.” (The 74 Million)
STATE NEWS
After 100 Days, A Look at Mamdani’s Record on Accessibility and Inclusion (Able News)
Federal Cuts Will End Nutrition Education Program for New Yorkers on SNAP (City Limits)
Nebraska Passes Special Ed Bill Without Proposed Protections for Students Measure would have stopped districts from denying transfers to kids with IEPs. Instead, it applies to siblings only — and lifts ban on suspensions. (The 74 Million)
NC lawmakers nearing deal to fund Medicaid as short session kicks off Republican legislators plan to approve Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s $319 million Medicaid ask. (WRAL.com)
Why families caring for children with disabilities are suing Washington state They’re trying to bring a class-action suit, arguing the state has failed to provide services promised under Medicaid to thousands of children. (Washington State Standard)
WV House spent $114K on school funding study, didn’t implement recommendations this year West Virginia ranks near the bottom of all states for its amount of funding for special education despite the rate of special education students being the nation’s fifth highest. (West Virginia Watch)
GOOD IDEAS
Local author empowers people with disabilities through creative writing workshop (News 8000)