Nine US states sue to block disability rights rule under ADA
Nine US states, led by Texas, have launched a legal challenge against part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The lawsuit claims a recent federal rule under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is unconstitutional. Advocacy groups warn that a successful case could cut vital services for disabled individuals and push more people into institutional care.
The dispute centres on a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rule finalised in May 2024. The nine states argue it 'upends decades of federal disability law' and threatens Medicaid funding. A similar lawsuit was first filed by 17 states in September 2024 but was temporarily halted while the Trump administration reviewed the policy.
The Arc of DFW Area, a local disability rights organisation, is now urging Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to drop the case. They highlight that Section 504 ensures people with disabilities can access community-based services instead of being forced into institutions. If the lawsuit succeeds, advocates fear funding cuts could reverse progress made in deinstitutionalisation. The group is also running workshops to teach people how state government decisions impact disability services. They stress that disability can affect anyone at any time, making policy changes a concern for the wider public. Earlier tensions over disability funding surfaced in February 2026, when a Minnesota Medicaid programme for disabled individuals was frozen. The Trump administration, led by Vice President Vance and CMS head Mehmet Oz, withheld $259 million over fraud allegations. No current federal court cases against HHS rules have been reported, and the nine states involved in the latest lawsuit remain unnamed in public records.
The outcome of the lawsuit could reshape disability support across the US. A ruling against the HHS rule may shrink services, leaving more individuals reliant on institutional care. Advocates continue to push for public engagement as legal proceedings unfold.
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