VOR Submits Senate and House Testimony Opposing Federally-Funded Forced Deinstitutionalization by U.S. Department of Justice
As explained below, VOR asserts that the DOJ Civil Rights Division’s legal proceedings and related actions to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (“Olmstead enforcement”), directed at individuals with profound I/DD who reside in Medicaid-licensed facilities (e.g., ICFs/IID), have often caused human harm, including death, and financial and emotional hardship.
The concern is widespread: Since 2009, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed more than 45 “Olmstead enforcement” actions in 25 states. Yet, these actions often violate the letter and spirit of the Olmstead decision, especially with regard to the requirement of individual choice.
In response, Congress included this report language relating to DOJ actions in the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 83, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Division B, Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies) (Pub.L. 113-235, December 16, 2014):
"Deinstitutionalization.-There is a nationwide trend towards deinstitutionalization of patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities in favor of community-based settings. The Department [of Justice] is strongly urged to continue to factor the needs and desires of patients, their families, caregivers, and other stakeholders, as well as the need to provide proper settings for care, into its enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act."