June 25, 2026
The Boost News
SPOTLIGHT: ‘OLMSTEAD VS. L.C.’ REDUX
Late last week, the Dept. of Justice issued a memo that attempts to weaken civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities. The memo argued that “while federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, it does not impose an ‘integration mandate’ on states to provide these community services.” The memo seemingly contradicts the landmark Supreme Court case Olmstead vs. L.C., which ruled that individuals with disabilities have the right to live in their communities.
The NPR article, DOJ memo stokes fear among disability advocates of a return to institutionalization, does a good job of breaking things down. It contains this sobering assessment: “For now, it’s not clear what the immediate impact of the memo will be, though it seems the Justice Department will stop its enforcement efforts around Olmstead.”
Trump Administration Claims People With Disabilities Don’t Have Right To Community-Based Services (Disability Scoop/paywall)
DOJ Opinion on Olmstead Threatens the Right of People With Disabilities to Live in the Community (The Arc)
The Executive Branch’s Assault on the Integration Mandate (The Coalition for Disability Rights and Justice)
Stephen Miller Said to Drive DOJ Memo Eroding Disability Rights “Miller, the president’s powerful deputy chief of staff, was frustrated that the department’s Civil Rights Division was still reaching settlements compelling states to transfer those experiencing mental illness out of institutions, added the individuals, who spoke anonymously out of fear of retaliation.” (Bloomberg Law)
DEPT. OF ED
Also last week, The Trump administration continued its dismantling of the Department of Education. It moved oversight of the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Justice, and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSER), to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Takeaways from the Ed Dept-HHS special ed agreement (K-12 Dive)
Disability Groups Fear RFK Jr.’s New Special Ed Role (The New York Times)
Senate panel considers vote to shield special ed from RFK Jr.’s agency (USA Today)
Splitting Up Special Ed and Civil Rights Will Dilute Services for Students, Experts Say (The 74)
Parents of kids with disabilities protest federal changes to special education, civil rights (EdSource)
Broad Coalition of Disability, Civil Rights, and Education Organizations Denounces ED’s Latest Transfers of Core Functions (Autism Society)
MORE SPECIAL ED
More than half of states miss targets for improving special education (K-12 Dive)
MEDICAID
National Health Care Fraud Takedown Results in 455 Defendants Charged in Connection with Over $6.5 Billion in Alleged Fraud Consider the source. (Dept. of Justice)
SNAP
More Than 770,000 Children Are No Longer Receiving SNAP Benefits After Trump Changes Federal Food Program (ProPublica)
AUTISM
This autism therapy is covered by many insurers. Why does the military’s plan restrict it? (NBC News)
Autistic people aren’t afraid of genetic research – they are afraid of what scientists might do with it When two Swedish doctors asked autistic people and parents of autistic children in Sweden how they feel about genetic research in autism, one response stood out: “I hope genetic research finds new ways to help us, not erase us.” (The Conversation)
STATES
Note: This starts with New York, where a majority of The Boost’s readership currently is based, and continues alphabetically by state.
Firm behind NY’s troubled home health care overhaul agrees to $160M wage settlement According to the complaint, tens of thousands of home care workers in New York City, Westchester and Long Island experienced payment errors because of PPL’s mismanagement of CDPAP. It comes on the heels of a Trump administration lawsuit (see below) that accuses officials of failing to police PPL. (Gothamist)
Even for some who have scrutinized N.Y.’s CDPAP transition, the Trump administration’s lawsuit is not welcome (Spectrum Local News)
New York defends Medicaid oversight, CDPAP at congressional fraud hearing (News10)
Advocate for Medical Aid in Dying responds to lawsuit brought by people with disabilities in NY The lawsuit argues that the law, scheduled to go into effect on Aug. 5, discriminates against individuals with disabilities. (NY State of Politics)
Largest Medicaid pediatric provider sues Florida’s DeSantis administration over pay rates (News from the States)
Georgia special education violations nearly triple as student needs rise The trend is illustrated by a recent case: The state found a student was disciplined for behaviors directly resulting from their disability. (Atlanta News First)
Maryland extends behavioral health provider enrollment halt The six-month moratorium comes amid efforts to address potential fraud, waste and abuse. (Becker’s Behavioral Health)
Michigan Department of Education unveils new plan to support students with disabilities (Michiganpublic.org)
PRIVATE EQUITY
How private equity is gobbling up disability services Private equity companies “have gobbled up group homes and other services for people with disabilities, attracting the attention of state and federal regulators across the nation and alarming advocates. People with intellectual or developmental disabilities have suffered abuse, neglect and even death while under the care of private equity-owned providers, according to a recent report from watchdog group Private Equity Stakeholder Project.” (Disabled Journalists Association)
STUDIES & REPORTS
2026 Determination Letters on State Implementation of IDEA (US Dept. of Ed)