DOJ Memo Fuels Fears of Return to Institutionalization for Disabled Americans
A recent Department of Justice memo argues that states are not legally obligated to provide in-home or community-based care to individuals with disabilities, challenging decades of established civil rights protections. This stance has ignited fears among advocates that states may revert to institutionalizing disabled individuals, reversing progress toward community integration. Legal experts and disability rights groups contend this shift undermines the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision and could lead to states cutting essential services. The memo arrives amidst broader efforts to promote institutionalization, potentially impacting millions reliant on community-based support.
John Q. Hosedrinker