The Trump administration’s crackdown on so-called Medicaid “fraud” has been ramping up since the budget reconciliation law, passed in July 2025, reduced federal financial support to the Medicaid Program. Few claim that the program is entirely free of fraud, but the administration’s overly aggressive moves are already making access to Medicaid services more difficult for eligible people with disabilities.
To help track the attacks on this vital program, The Boost has created a brief timeline. It’s not meant to be definitive. Please feel free to reach out with any corrections or pertinent additions.
To start things off, here are two articles that give the attacks on Medicaid some context: Oz Escalates Medicaid Fraud Claims and The Minnesota Fraud Scandal and the Fallout, Explained.
SEPT. 2022: The first arrests in a set of Minnesota Medicaid fraud cases.
DEC. 12 2024: FBI raids targeting two autism treatment providers in Minnesota.
DEC. 30, 2024: A video is posted by a conservative YouTuber, with help from Minnesota Republicans, “alleging widespread fraud in child care centers owned by members of the Somali community. A follow-up state investigation of the child care centers that were featured in the video [determines that all are] ‘operating as expected.'”
JULY 4, 2025: President Trump signs the budget reconciliation law, which reduces federal financial support to the Medicaid program. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the program will be cut by $326 billion over 10 years, and increase the number of people who are uninsured by 5.3 million in 2034.
The Arc points out that in reality, the law shifts to states and Medicaid beneficiaries’ “costs and administrative burdens that previously were financed by the federal government, making access to Medicaid services more difficult for eligible people with disabilities.”
FEB. 25, 2026: Trump administration announces Major Crackdown on Health Care Fraud with The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) opening investigations into several states’ Medicaid programs, citing potential fraud in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).
Additionally, CMS says it will look to stakeholders to provide input on additional ways the agency can tackle fraud prevention to help inform the development of a possible future rule under CMS’ Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) initiative.
MARCH 3, 2026: House Committee on Energy & Commerce (E&C) leaders announce an expanded investigation into alleged nationwide Medicaid fraud, targeting 10 additional states. They send letters to 10 additional states to request information and documents on the actions each state is taking to strengthen Medicaid program integrity. [*Note: Read a response to these letters at the bottom of timeline.]
MARCH 9, 2026: The Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities submits a letter to members of the Senate and House of Representatives on the critical role and efficiency of HCBS in the lives of people with disabilities and older adults, and opposing the “continued attacks” on HCBS.
MARCH 16, 2026: Trump establishes the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, to be led by Vice President JD Vance. Its mission: “Advise the President and coordinate government-wide efforts to combat widespread fraud, waste, and abuse in Federal benefit programs.”
MARCH 16, 2026: The non-profit KFF publishes an issue brief explaining the administration’s new approach to potential fraud, which involves deferring and withholding federal Medicaid payments when fraud is suspected, which “could have broad implications for states and enrollees.”
Medicaid, and so those we love and help care for, is under attack. Please keep an eye out for petitions to sign and advocacy groups to join.
*On March 15, 2026, Shasta Kearns Moore of the Medical Motherhood newsletter wrote a devastatingly personal look at the letter sent by E&C to her home state of Oregon, which she shares. I recommend you read Medicaid ‘Fraud’ Witch Hunt Begins in full, but here are some excerpts:
Kearns Moore writes that “those of us with these services understand intimately that we already live inside a system built around proving eligibility over and over again.
“In many American disability households, managing Medicaid compliance is an unpaid part-time job. … And yet our society and our public assistance programs ask them to spend time and energy proving their need and their worth over and over and over again. … All this for conditions that any doctor could tell you are lifelong.
“In a thousand ways, on a thousand different days, we are forced to answer the question: Do you deserve it? Do you deserve it? Do you deserve it?”
This past week, President Trump again did the disability community wrong. This time around, he claimed that California Governor Gavin Newsom Shouldn’t Be President Because He Is Dyslexic.
Then he doubled down: “I know it’s highly controversial to say such a horrible thing — the president of the United States. Gavin Newscum [his very presidential nickname for the governor] admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia, everything about him is dumb.
Trump’s highly offensive and discriminatory ableist language is part of a well-established GOP strategy of punching down and treating vulnerable people as “other.” Let’s not forget this when the mid-terms role around.
SSI Could Be Updated For 7.4 Million Americans A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act; it would raise key thresholds, end the marriage penalty, extend coverage to U.S. territories, and index changes to inflation. (Newsweek)
Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act Introduced in Senate and House U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Andy Kim introduced the bicameral Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act -, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced companion legislation in the House, to address the exclusion of home care workers from the Fair Labor Standards Act. (Murray.senate.gov)
New independent autism group meets to counter MAHA’s ‘ideological agenda’ (NPR)
Here’s Why Dozens of Autism Publications Were Retracted Springer Nature has retracted publications that relied on images with the faces of allegedly autistic children; however, there were major problems with how it was put together. (MedPage Today)
Governors promote special ed initiatives in annual addresses They were a priority for governors in states including Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico and Pennsylvania. (K-12 Dive)
Note: This starts with New York, where a majority of The Boost’s readership currently is based, and continues alphabetically by state.
NYS disability advocates urge lawmakers to boost pay for direct care workers (Rome Sentinel)
Commentary: Senate must act to ensure disabled New Yorkers always have a voice Legislation to protect the communication rights of people with disabilities is stuck in committee. (Times Union)
NY’s CDPAP overhaul could upend insurance coverage for aides (Crain’s New York/paywall)
OPINION: Commentary: New York’s home care transition was a mess. Here’s a chance for accountability. (Times Union)
Special ed teacher arrested in NY district roiled by ‘timeout box’ controversy (Times Union)
‘Unbelievably cruel’: Conn. advocates decry threat to home care program (CT Mirror)
Dept. of Ed says District of Columbia Public Schools discriminated against kids with disabilities Some students wait four months or longer for evaluations. (NBC Washington)
Georgians with disabilities, advocates describe urgent need for support There are over 1,000 people in urgent need of Medicaid waivers that help pay for daily support at home or in community homes. (gpb.org)
How will the Idaho Legislature cut the Medicaid budget? Likely disability services, lawmakers say (Idaho Capital Sun)
More Iowa care homes cited for violations related to disabled residents’ money State inspectors allege that residents’ debit cards and gift cards were used for ‘fraudulent’ purchases. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Maryland advocates notch some gains, but say $126 million cut to DDA funds is still ‘painful’, ‘unacceptable (Maryland Matters)
Adult-Size Changing Tables To Be Required At Major Airports Under the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, all medium and large airports seeking federal airport development project grants must have at least one private universal changing station in each terminal starting in 2030. (Disability Scoop/Paywall)
Zero Project Report 2026 The annual Zero Project Report on innovative practices and policies supporting the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD): 82 innovative solutions from 51 countries. (Zero Project)
Down syndrome non-profit CoorDown issues a powerful plea to retire the R-word For World Down Syndrome Day 2026 (March 21), CoorDown launched “Just Evolve,” an international campaign urging society to leave the R-word, and all offensive language about disability, in the past. (The Drum)
Doctor creates adaptive crayons for children with developmental disabilities (Wkow.com)
The Boom in Autism Therapy Is Medicaid’s Fastest-Growing Jackpot (WSJ)
$11B NY Medicaid contractor accused of ‘fiscal and operational failures’ in other states (The New York Post)
NYS Guide to 2026 State Budget Fight (NY Focus)
NYC 2025 graduation rate dips, fueled by declines among students with disabilities and English learners (Chalkbeat)
Impact of Colorado budget cuts gets real as lawmakers start trimming Medicaid programs (CPR)
Colorado bill to end forced sterilization of people with disabilities moves through Senate (KKCO
Massachusetts Unseals Records of Abuse of Disabled People in State Institutions (Truthout)
Report: 50 Minnesota school districts still using ‘seclusion’ rooms (News from the States)
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs literacy, special education bills into law (Source New Mexico)
NC legislators, alarmed over increasing cost of autism therapy, search for ways to control it (NC Newsline)
Texas students with disabilities struggle to qualify for extra school voucher funds (Texas Tribune)
FDA finds little evidence that the generic drug leucovorin can help most people with autism (PBS)
Federal autism advisory board cancels first public meeting since overhaul (Stat News)
OPINION: Why cameras belong in NJ’s group homes for the disabled (NorthJersey.com)
The Wall Street Journal’s paywall means some of you won’t be able to access “The Boom in Autism Therapy Is Medicaid’s Fastest-Growing Jackpot,” an article that’s been getting some buzz. So, here are some bullet points:
Read the whole article here. (WSJ)
Note: This starts with New York, where a majority of my readership currently is based, and then continues alphabetically by state.
$11B NY Medicaid contractor accused of ‘fiscal and operational failures’ in other states Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) was brought in to replace hundreds of middlemen in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) as a cost saving measure in 2024. (The New York Post)
NYS Guide to 2026 State Budget Fight (NY Focus)
NYC 2025 graduation rate dips, fueled by declines among students with disabilities and English learners It was the largest year-over-year decline in more than two decades. (Chalkbeat)
Impact of Colorado budget cuts gets real as lawmakers start trimming Medicaid programs (CPR)
Colorado bill to end forced sterilization of people with disabilities moves through Senate (KKCO
Advocates say proposed changes to MaineCare would take services away from kids with disabilities (Maine Public)
Advocates warn potential budget cuts could impact services for adults with disabilities in Mass. (Boston25 News)
Massachusetts Unseals Records of Abuse of Disabled People in State Institutions “Our estimate is that we’ve opened more than 10 million records with this law. … Family members have a right to see that information, know it, and safeguard it. And eventually the public does as well, so that it can understand the enormous atrocity that has occurred.” (Truthout)
Report: 50 Minnesota school districts still using ‘seclusion’ rooms (News from the States)
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signs literacy, special education bills into law (Source New Mexico)
NC legislators, alarmed over increasing cost of autism therapy, search for ways to control it (NC Newsline)
Texas students with disabilities struggle to qualify for extra school voucher funds (Texas Tribune)
FDA finds little evidence that the generic drug leucovorin can help most people with autism It approved the drug for a rare brain disorder, a major step back from Trump and FDA commissioner Marty Makary announcing the drug was under review to benefit patients with autism. (PBS)
‘Betrayed’: Families are dealing with dashed hopes after pivot on leucovorin (CNN)
Federal autism advisory board cancels first public meeting since overhaul No reason was given. (Stat News)
INTERVIEW: Life with my autistic sons: ‘How do you explain all the worries, the sleepless nights? James Hunt posts about his boys a way to describe the emotions and experiences of their lives. He realized they weren’t alone. (The Guardian)
US Department of Labor selects participants for national effort to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, New York, Tennessee and the District of Columbia will participate as “core states” in fiscal year 2026 in its National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network initiative. (DOL.gov)
California studio helps autistic adults channel creativity into Hollywood careers Exceptional Minds trains autistic adults for Hollywood careers, and its graduates provide visual effects and animation work for major studios. (Reuters)
OPINION: Why cameras belong in NJ’s group homes for the disabled (NorthJersey.com)
Traveling With Disabilities Is Often Hard. These Tools Can Help. (New York Times)
Autism researchers form independent committee as counter to Kennedy-appointed group (Reuters)
Study suggests Trump’s unproven autism claims influenced care (AP)
Trump’s Cuts to Medicaid Threaten Services That Help Disabled People Live at Home (KFF Health News)
Trump administration widens its anti-fraud efforts with a Medicaid probe in New York (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)
Families turn to states for civil rights support as Trump dismantles the Ed Dept. (AP)
Special Ed Enrollment Tops 8 Million Nationwide (Disability Scoop/paywall)
What’s Driving the Spike in College Students with Disabilities (New York Times)
Colorado allegedly wrongly spent $78M on autism therapy, Office of the 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 (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)
DOJ set to file suit against New York Gov. Hochul’s admin over allegedly rigged revamp of NY’s $11B Medicaid homecare program, CDPAP (New York Post)
The Moral Energy Problem (Psychology Today)
Maryland entrepreneur with autism expands pretzel company after millions watch online (WUSA9)
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)
Trump’s Cuts to Medicaid Threaten Services That Help Disabled People Live at Home (KFF Health News)
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)
Red states target SNAP fraud, errors under threat of costly federal penalties (Stateline)
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 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)
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)
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)
The Moral Energy Problem Two Dutch researchers explain “the quiet hopelessness” of parents of disabled children. (Psychology Today)
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)
Maryland entrepreneur with autism expands pretzel company after millions watch online (WUSA9)
Has Arizona ESA expansion hurt students with disabilities? (KTAR.com)
In Calif., special ed a flash point in negotiations with teachers (EdSource)
Report shows 4,246 abuse allegations, 15 deaths, in Connecticut’s disability system in 2024 (CT Insider)
CDPAP shift worsened reimbursement gap for high-need care as advocates push $50 million budget fix (NY State of Politics)
Trump’s surgeon general pick grilled on vaccines (USA Today)
Is autism preventable in certain cases after all? Some scientists say yes. (Washington Post)
Ghosts in the machine: Congressional watchdog finds significant gaps in federal health care and disability data (Prism Reports)
Respite Care Program Extended Under New Federal Law (Disability Scoop)
Special education enrollment keeps growing. These 3 graphics show how. (K-12 Dive)
Trump administration expands efforts to dismantle the Education Department (Politico)
COMMENTARY: The Airlines and Airline Manufacturers Have Had 42 Years to Support Passengers with Disabilities – They Have Failed Miserably (National Center for Public Policy Research)
An Accessible Housing Model Built to Be Scaled (New York Times)
Georgia State Experts to Help Lead Landmark Study of Profound Autism (Georgia State University)
Last week I linked to an article from NBC News reporting that the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act — which would create new barriers to voting registration — passed the House, enjoys President Trump’s support, and the Senate’s 60-vote threshold is “the only thing standing in the way of its becoming law.”
This week, the Autistic Advocacy Network (ASAN) has an excellent primer explaining the act, and. how it would make it harder for people with disabilities to vote, and stop some from voting altogether.
It highlights two critical components:
Learn more about it in ASAN’s The SAVE Act Would Stop Some Disabled People from Voting.
Has Arizona ESA expansion hurt students with disabilities? The universal expansion of the state’s school voucher program could make it harder for students with special needs to access funding and services. (KTAR.com)
In Calif., special ed a flash point in negotiations with teachers Agreements include provisions to recruit special ed teachers or to retain current teachers with stipends or reduced caseloads. (EdSource)
Report shows 4,246 abuse allegations, 15 deaths, in Connecticut’s disability system in 2024 Unfortunately, this is behind a paywall; I imagine it will get picked up quickly by other outlets. (CT Insider)
Georgians With Disabilities Are Still Being Institutionalized, Despite Federal Oversight Nearly 15 years ago, the U.S. Dept. of Justice sued Georgia for segregating people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. (KFF Health News)
Massachusetts outlier in special ed transportation funding It’s one of six states in which nearly all state funding is delivered through reimbursement. (WWLP.com)
Trump Administration Withholds $259 Million in Medicaid Funds From Minnesota Vice President JD Vance said that the Trump administration had been forced to “turn the screws on” Minnesota. (NYT)
Halt to Medicaid Funding in Minnesota is attack on American Patients “This administration’s anti-fraud rhetoric is itself a fraud.” (Public Citizen)
NYS Senate’s bid-rigging for probe for CDPAP prompts constitutional amendment Lawmakers want to empower the legislature following investigation into Gov. Hochul’s changes to $9 billion Medicaid home care program. (City and State)
CDPAP shift worsened reimbursement gap for high-need care as advocates push $50 million budget fix (NY State of Politics)
Trump’s surgeon general pick grilled on vaccines “Science is never settled,” and a continued look into what is causing autism is important, said Casey Means. In other words, she waffled. (USA Today)
Is autism preventable in certain cases after all? Some scientists say yes. I’m diving a little deeper on this one as it’s behind a paywall. The research, which rests “more on hypothesis than on settled evidence,” suggests that there’s a link between environmental exposures, especially pre-conception, and autism. The article notes that “on Instagram and TikTok, a growing number of wellness influencers have embraced what they call ‘trimester zero,’ advising women — often mixing science-backed guidance with largely unproven claims — to stop wearing nail polish, take specific supplements, meditate and work to lower cortisol levels before conceiving.”
It also points out that HSS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “has drawn widespread criticism for claiming that an environmental toxin is responsible for rising autism rates and for describing the condition as a ‘preventable disease.'” (Washington Post)
Ghosts in the machine: Congressional watchdog finds significant gaps in federal health care and disability data As a result, policymaking reportedly is compromised. (Prism Reports)
Respite Care Program Extended Under New Federal Law There’s been a five-year extension of the Lifespan Respite Care Program. (Disability Scoop)
Special education enrollment keeps growing. These 3 graphics show how. Autism, developmental delay and multiple disabilities marked the fastest growing IDEA disability categories between 2023 and 2024. (K-12 Dive)
Trump administration expands efforts to dismantle the Education Department (Politico)
COMMENTARY: The Airlines and Airline Manufacturers Have Had 42 Years to Support Passengers with Disabilities – They Have Failed Miserably (National Center for Public Policy Research)
An Accessible Housing Model Built to Be Scaled (New York Times)
Georgia State Experts to Help Lead Landmark Study of Profound Autism (Georgia State University)
New issue brief documents what’s at stake if Medicaid HCBS are cut (Assoc. of Health Care Journalists)
I just learned about the Plain Truth Project and wanted to share its mission and link right away. A collaboration among journalists, researchers, and self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it has a critical goal: Making the news more inclusive.
We know what most politicians claim they don’t: People with I/DD care deeply about the issues that affect their lives, and they vote in elections. It’s critical that these individuals pay attention to the news and are included in the news as sources.
The Plain Truth Project’s research paper, “You’ve got to either adapt to us or get out of the field”: A qualitative analysis of people with intellectual disabilities’ perspectives on journalism and news media, published last April, looks at why people with I/DD have a generally negative perception of the news, the barriers they face, and more. Here, a few highlights:
Colorado Democrats want to protect the civil rights of students with disabilities Legislation would task the state ed department with investigating complaints of schools falling short in serving kids with 504 plan. (Colorado Sun)
DHHS ‘error’ in case of Nebraskan with disabilities hits home with state lawmaker He and wife fear some vulnerable Nebraskans are being “peeled off” of public health insurance benefits. (Nebraska Examiner)
Path to Independence students in Nevada find community and gain confidence through inclusive campus living It’s the only program in the state to offer fully inclusive on-campus housing for students with I/DD. (Nevada Today)
In NJ, Families closer to health coverage for adult kids with disabilities Legislation would compel insurers to continue benefits after age 26. (NJ Spotlight News)
Disabilities Beat: Buffalo, NY, Public Schools suspension disparities reflect a national problem The podcast speaks with a national expert who believes fixing problems with inequitable punishment is going to be left to the states. (Buffalo Toronto Public Media)
NYC’s Mamdani budget would stabilize funding for summer school and preschool special education (Chalkbeat)
New Mexico Legislature Passes Senate Bill 64 To Strengthen Support For Students With Disabilities The bill establishes the role of deputy secretary for special education. (Los Alamos Daily Post)
In Texas, mother of special needs child reports challenges getting paperwork for $30,000 school voucher Many districts have a backlog of IEPs for public school students; add in private school students needing new IEPS for vouchers, and some parents say it’s created a headache. (CBS News)
Washington bill could cut funding for children’s disability services The program at risk, E-SIT, helps babies and infants with severe medical and genetic conditions. (KXLY)
Should people with autism and very high needs have a separate diagnosis? Takeaways from AP’s report As the definition of autism has widened, there’s been a growing push to create a new diagnosis, called profound autism, for those who need constant and lifelong care. (AP)
As some people push to make profound autism its own diagnosis, this family is raising twins with it (AP)
Autism Study of Drug Touted By Trump Administration Retracted The European Journal of Pediatrics posted a notice late last month indicating that it was withdrawing a study on leucovorin in children with autism due to inconsistencies in the data. (Disability Scoop; paywall)
Chlorine Dioxide, Raw Camel Milk: The FDA No Longer Warns Against These and Other Ineffective Autism Treatments (ProPublica)
90% of student discrimination and harassment complaints were dismissed last year. Here’s why. Students with disabilities and survivors of sexual misconduct can’t rely on the Department of Education — the target of budget cuts and staff reductions — to intervene for them, new reports find. (The 19th)
Congress fully funded Education Dept, but it’s moving ahead with reassigning employees to other agencies (Federal News Network)
The Autism Society’s Capitol Connection newsletter breaks down what’s provided for people with disabilities in the approved funding package. (Autism Society)
Trump’s election bill tops 50 Senate votes, but Democrats could still block it The SAVE America Act would create new barriers to voting. (NBC News)
Racial and Ethnic Variation in the Prevalence of Long-Term Services and Supports Needs (Brandeis)
Project Eugenics: The Rollback of Disability Rights (New Disabled South)
Global Disability Legislation Index A guide to disability laws and policy, with a focus on employment, across 100 countries. (The Valuable 500; first seen in Disability Debrief newsletter)
New Oregon study shows why Medicaid patients nationwide struggle to find doctors (Oregon Live)
An Interview with Bob Williams A talk with the nationally recognized leader on policy issues relating to supporting people with the most significant disabilities to live, work, and thrive in their own homes and communities. (UnHidden)
Elana Meyers Taylor’s victory in her fifth Olympics was about far more than gold The American won her first Winter Games title at 41 while advocating for Black athletes, mothers and the deaf and Down’s syndrome communities. (The Guardian)
In the Chicago suburbs, young adults with special needs say ‘Yes, and…’ to improv (WBEZ)
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)
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)
Preserving Medicaid’s Role in Supporting Family Caregivers (MMA Partners)
Study finds no link between COVID-19 vaccines and autism (Univ. of Minn. CIDRAP)
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)
Giving Bigger, Organizing More Boldly: Centering Disability Justice (NPQ)
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)
Study: Early intervention services linked to improved academic outcomes (Contemporary Pediatrics via JAMA)
Local non-profit where plants and adults with developmental disabilities bloom and flourish (News 12 Long Island)