Justice Department Memo Challenges Federal Oversight of Georgia's Disability Care System
A June memo from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicated a shift in federal policy regarding the enforcement of community-based care for individuals with disabilities, particularly in Georgia. The memo argues that federal disability laws do not mandate states to provide certain community-based services for people with disabilities that limit 'major life activities' as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Furthermore, it states that the federal government lacks the authority to oversee and monitor whether states are providing these services, despite existing legal requirements. This interpretation challenges the legal precedent set by the 1999 Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C., which originated in Georgia and ruled against the unjustified institutionalization of people with disabilities. Disability advocates, including D’Arcy Robb of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, express concern that this could reduce pressure on states to fund and expand community-based s... 
