February 21, 2025
The Boost News
The latest on potential cuts to Medicaid, how to build a neurodiverse city, and move developmental disability news for week ending Feb. 21, 2025.
SPOTLIGHT: Medicaid
Fri., Feb. 21, 2025: Senate adopts $340 billion budget blueprint for Trump’s agenda after marathon ‘vote-a-rama’ Not many details are out yet. The House is not in session this week, and plans to take up its own competing budget resolution next week. (NBCnews.com)
Trump Rebuffs Senate G.O.P. and Backs House Budget Plan This was on Feb. 19, the morning after an appearance on Fox News, during which Trump was adamant that there should be no cuts to Medicaid. But he then endorsed a House bill that has deep cuts to Medicaid on the table. (New York Times)
As Governors Meet in D.C., Possible Federal Medicaid Cuts Loom as Big State Funding Issue The National Governors Association (NGA) meeting started Thurs., Feb. 20, and goes through the 22nd. (KFF.org)
STATE NEWS
NYS Senator Fahy Introduces Consumer Wheelchair Repair Act to End Repair Monopoly (nysenate.gov)
Iowa Medicaid Sends $4M Bills to Two Families Grieving Deaths of Loved Ones With Disabilities (KFF.com)
Tweed New Haven Airport creates Sunflower Program to help passengers with hidden disabilities (fox61.com)
What’s behind the ‘D Word’ billboards around Kalamazoo, Mich.? It’s a Disability Network Southwest Michigan campaign, “Disability is not a bad word.” (mlive.com)
Ohio families of children with disabilities file lawsuit over unannounced home visits (nbc4i.com)
Bill would require special education discussions during Texas school board meetings (tcu360.com)
SECTION 504
17 states claim Section 504 overreach A suit questioning the addition of “gender dysphoria” to the definition of a disability under both the Rehabilitation Act and the the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) has raised concerns among disability rights advocates that Section 504 could be eliminated — and that this is the suit’s goal.
A quick primer with info from K12dive.com regarding Section 504 and schools:
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits, among many other things, discrimination on the basis of disability in K-12 schools and higher education institutions that receive federal financial assistance.
- Section 504 accommodations for students with disabilities can include academic, mental and physical supports.
- For K-12 students, those services can take place in a general or special education classroom. Elementary and secondary students with disabilities could also be entitled under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act( (IDEA) to a free, appropriate public education. K-12 students can qualify for services under both IDEA and Section 504 service or just one of the two or the other.
GOP-led lawsuit that could dismantle disability protections draws public backlash (Stateline.org)
NEURODIVERSITY
How to Build a Neurodiverse City A NYC public school is part of a new, multi-year project, The Neurodiverse City. (Bloomberg.com)
New program improves surgery experience for neurodiverse kids (Health.ucdavis.edu)
No mind left behind: How travel embraces neurodiversity (Travel Weekly)
DIVERSITY
Donald Trump’s Next Diversity Target: People With Disabilities (The Nation)
EDUCATION
(From the Politico newsletter 2/20/25: “Those inside the department say it’s eerily quiet as staffers await the fulfillment of Donald Trump’s campaign trail promise to demolish the department in its entirety.”)
Kids’ disability rights cases stalled as Trump began to overhaul Education Department (AP)
Tracking Trump: His actions on education (Hechingereport.org)
Opinion: What the Trump Era Looks Like for Disabled Students in K-12 (New York Times)
DOGE slashes millions from Education Department research (USA Today)
TRAVEL
Major US airlines challenge Biden-era DOT wheelchair accessibility rule (USA Today)