Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic

/in , , , , , , /by Evan Monod

Filed: March 12, 2025

Court: U.S. Supreme Court

Overview: Amicus brief explaining that the right to choose a medical provider guaranteed by the Medicaid Act is enforceable in federal court under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983.

Excerpt: “For low-income patients who work full-time in one or multiple jobs, finding time to go to the doctor can be a challenge. The ability to choose a facility that can accommodate a different schedule is often the difference between going to the doctor. Allowing patients to choose a doctor who they trust and with whom they feel comfortable, moreover, is a critical component of patient autonomy, satisfaction, and even health outcomes. . .freedom of access to qualified providers compliments Medicaid’s primary goal of increasing access to health care for all.”

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Related Materials

A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools

/in , , , , , , /by Evan Monod

Filed: March 5, 2025

Court: U.S. Supreme Court

Overview: Amicus brief explaining that Section 504 and ADA claims in the education context should not be held to a higher standard of proof, and that plaintiffs need not show that a school district acted in “bad faith” or with “gross misjudgment” to prevail on their disability discrimination claims.

Excerpt: “In this brief, amici review case examples in which, time and again, the bad-faith-or-gross-misjudgment standard is deployed to the detriment of children with disabilities in K-12 schools. As indicated, a defendant’s bad faith or gross misjudgment is exceedingly difficult to prove. So, even schoolchildren who experience severe discrimination based on their disabilities are frequently denied much-needed compensatory damages. Our case review shows that, on the other hand, under the appropriate standard-the standard applicable to everyone outside the K-12 school setting-these schoolchildren would have been compensated for the harms caused by the discrimination that Section 504 and the ADA seek to remedy.”

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Press Release

Texas v. Becerra

/in , , , , , , , /by Shira Wakschlag

Filed: September 26, 2024

Court: Northern District of Texas

Overview: Texas v. Becerra is a court case in Texas. A group of 17 states has sued the United States government. The states are asking the court to get rid of Section 504 and its new rules that protect people with disabilities from discrimination in health care and human services.

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Get Your State-Specific Medicaid Fact Sheet

/in , , /by The Arc

Find your state below to download a state-specific Medicaid fact sheet that you can share with lawmakers and your community.

Medicaid Advocacy Resources

/in , , , /by Brittany Owens

Medicaid Protection

These resources provide critical information about Medicaid and its role with supporting people with disabilities. Gain insight about Medicaid basics and the current threats that Medicaid is facing.

 

Enhancing Oral Health Toolkit

/in , , , /by Kerry Mauger

Dental Office Open Houses are events where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families can tour the office, explore the equipment, and ask questions in a relaxed setting. Open houses can play a crucial role in reducing fear and building confidence for people with IDD.

Calling All Advocates: Medicaid Advocacy in 2025

/in /by The Arc

In this webinar, you’ll learn about the growing concern of potential cuts to Medicaid, including what you can do this year to help protect Medicaid. We also share tools, resources, and strategies to help you advocate effectively.

Download session slides here.

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Payan v. Los Angeles Community College District

/in , , , , , , /by Evan Monod

Filed: November 8, 2024

Court: U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Overview: Amicus brief explaining that the availability of compensatory damages and broad injunctive relief is essential in safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities under the ADA, and in fulfilling Congress’s goal of promoting inclusion and ending discrimination.

Excerpt: “The availability of comprehensive remedies under Title II serves essential functions beyond merely compensating individuals who have been subjected to discrimination. These remedies play a crucial role in achieving Congress’s broader goals in enacting the ADA and ensuring the statute’s effectiveness as a tool for eliminating disability discrimination in American society. Discrimination can inflict a complex web of injuries on people with
disabilities, ranging from immediate economic losses to long-term limitations on educational and professional opportunities, as well as dignitary harms that affect one’s ability to participate fully in society. Comprehensive remedies acknowledge this reality and provide courts with the tools necessary to craft relief that truly makes injured individuals whole. Robust remedies also deter discrimination. When public entities face the prospect of significant liability for discrimination, they have stronger incentives to voluntarily comply with the ADA’s requirements.”

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Advocacy Conversations: How Medicaid Services Are Financed and Proposals to Limit Their Costs

/in , /by The Arc

In this webinar, Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc, and Julie Ward, Senior Executive Officer of Public Policy, provide valuable insights into Medicaid and its anticipated role in 2025 discussions.

Download session slides here.

Advocacy Conversations: Protecting Medicaid’s Future in 2025

/in , /by The Arc

Were you with The Arc in 2003, 2011, 2017, or 2023? During those years, we successfully fought against changes to Medicaid that would have reduced services for people with disabilities, including a narrow victory in 2017. As Congress prepares to debate Medicaid policies in 2025, we need your support. Join our nationwide movement to protect Medicaid and ensure it continues providing essential services. In this webinar, we focused on engaging chapter leaders in Medicaid advocacy, reviewing Medicaid basics, and preparing leaders to act in support of this vital program.

Download session slides here.