February 12, 2026
The Boost News
STATE NEWS
Hours of tearful testimony result in pause to some Medicaid cuts for Coloradans with disabilities The proposals were to cap the number of hours family caregivers could bill for what is often round-the-clock medical care. (Colorado Sun)
Lawmakers initiate reform of Maine’s fraught school funding formula The bill is based on researcher recommendations that include integrating local poverty rates and reforming the special education model. (Press Herald)
Mich. Gov.: Raise $800M for Medicaid by taxing nicotine, gambling, ads (Bridge Michigan)
Missouri families worry proposed $80.7M cut will hobble disability care programs The cut will, among other things, slash pay rates for families’ care staff by between 21% and 29%. (St. Louis Public Radio)
In NY, people with disabilities lobby for better worker pay, housing access Top issues include better pay for workers, expanded access to affordable housing for direct care system employees, and providing more access to employment opportunities. (WXXI)
Albany, NY, children’s nursing home pays $1.3M for years of neglect St. Margaret’s Center failed to properly staff and care for chronically ill and disabled children while billing Medicaid for services it never adequately provided. (Times Union)
New York to overhaul Medicaid mental health care for children under landmark settlement The deal includes an 18-month planning period followed by additional time for implementation, a timeline that concerns advocates and families. (Spectrum Local News)
As Spring Primaries Approach, Some Disabled Voters in Texas Unable to Cast Ballot Federal lawsuit filed against Harris County says those in military and overseas, and even astronauts in outer space, can use electronic ballots—but not disabled voters. (Disability Rights Texas)
STATE STUDIES
Neighborhood Conditions for Adults with Disabilities in Chicago – 2025 (Chicago.gov) See also: 1 in 4 Chicago adults live with a disability, majority on South and West sides, report finds (Chicago Sun Times)
MEDICAID
Preserving Medicaid’s Role in Supporting Family Caregivers (MMA Partners)
AUTISM
Study finds no link between COVID-19 vaccines and autism (Univ. of Minn. CIDRAP)
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Altering IDEA Poses ‘Substantial Risk’ To Students With Disabilities, Advocates Warn The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, known as HELP, is weighing whether to move forward on multiple bills that would amend the IDEA. In particular, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., who chairs the HELP committee, is keen to move forward with his 21st Century Dyslexia Act, a bipartisan bill that would classify dyslexia as its own category under IDEA, Senate HELP committee has not publicly announced a hearing on any of the IDEA bills. (Disability Scoop; paywall)
How Nashville Dismantled Segregated Classrooms for Students With Disabilities (EdWeek; paywall)
Cameras are now recording special ed classes in Louisiana public schools. Here’s what to know. (Nola)
Idaho expands mentoring program for parents navigating special education The pilot program pairs a parent who has been through the IEP process with an incoming parent new to the process. (Idaho Ed News)
DISABILITY JUSTICE
Giving Bigger, Organizing More Boldly: Centering Disability Justice (NPQ)
ICE
ICE’s Mistreatment of People with Disabilities “It is unacceptable that detainees with disabilities are routinely denied access to medications, assistive devices, and means of communication until emergencies arise.” (The Progressive)
Colorado forced to share personal Medicaid data with Trump administration, including ICE (Colorado Sun)
How special educators can help students when ICE comes to town Special educators in St. Paul, Minn., are turning to COVID-19-era resources to help some impacted students access learning virtually. (K12-Dive)
EARLY INTERVENTION
Study: Early intervention services linked to improved academic outcomes (Contemporary Pediatrics via JAMA)
GOOD IDEAS
Local non-profit where plants and adults with developmental disabilities bloom and flourish (News 12 Long Island)