In 1999, the Supreme Court required the states to support disabled persons in the most integrated setting possible that’s appropriate to their needs (Olmstead v. L.C.). The Department of Justice defies this holding.
Rather than continue the enlightened pre-Trump policy of promoting in-home or community-based care that enables them to stay close to their families and support systems, participate in activities others enjoy, including working, playing and living as normal lives as possible, Donald Trump seeks to shutter and hide away those who aren’t acceptable enough in his mind and eyes into cold institutions, nursing homes and hospitals where long-term outcomes are usually not good. This affects all people, including Trump supporters.
Home care is typically less costly than institutions, which, like Trump’s for-profit prisons holding immigrants, only benefit the corporate owners.
Is that the underlying reason for this absurd policy change?
Francis M. Nakamoto
Moanalua Valley
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EXPRESS YOURSELF
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