Federal Update: What You Need to Know!

D'Arcy Robb, GCDD Executive DirectorIf I can give you one piece of advocacy advice for 2025, it’s get to know your Congressperson. 

As I write these words, a flurry of activity is going on in Washington, DC. President Trump and the 119th Congress have the potential to make major changes to our society and life for Georgians with disabilities and their families. Some of the most important areas of potential change are Medicaid and the federal Department of Education. 

Medicaid

Medicaid is often referred to as “the lifeline” for people with disabilities. Not only does Medicaid provide medical care, it also provides critical services and supports that allow Georgians with disabilities to live in their homes and communities instead of institutions. That includes funding for Katie Beckett, the NOW/COMP waiver, and the ICWP waiver. 

According to Erin Prangley of the National Association on Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), "In Georgia, 3 out of 10 people with disabilities are on Medicaid, and the federal government pays 66% of the cost of traditional Medicaid.

If enacted, these cuts could result in reduced funding for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), forcing more individuals into costly institutional settings."

As of mid-March, the federal House has released a budget blueprint. The Medicaid part of the budget falls under the House Energy and Commerce Committee. That committee has been charged with cutting $880 billion from this budget area over the next 10 years. 

The messages we are hearing from Congress are that the intention is not to cut Medicaid benefits or to hurt people with developmental disabilities. But at the time of this writing, the details of any cuts are still unclear. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, it’s not possible to cut $880 billion from this area of the budget without making cuts to Medicaid. Be sure to follow GCDD’s social media for ongoing updates. 

Here’s where you come in. Your member of Congress needs to hear from you ASAP about why Medicaid is important in your life and the lives of people you care about. The best way to do this is with an in-person visit, and the second-best way is a phone call. You don’t need to hop on a plane to see your members – they all spend time at home and have local staff to meet with you. If your Representative supports Medicaid cuts, don’t be afraid to ask them for the math – how do they suggest cutting $880 billion in this budget area without hurting people on Medicaid?

Federal Department of Education (DOE)

Another big issue to raise with your Congressional Representative is the importance of the work done by the federal Department of Education for students with disabilities. The federal DOE regulates the implementation of IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces civil rights laws in schools, which protect all students, including students with disabilities, from discrimination. 

On March 11, 2025, 1,300 people at the Department of Education (DOE) lost their jobs. On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the White House released an Executive Order that called for the dismantling of the Department of Education. 

People are guessing that some of the DOE’s work might be given to other parts of the federal government. The Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, said that IDEA (the special education law) could be moved to the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Education is primarily managed by states, and federal oversight ensures that students with disabilities receive appropriate support and accommodations,” said Prangley. “Historically, states have struggled to provide sufficient support for disabled students, and with this order, it brings up serious concerns about their ability to meet the needs of these children without strong federal oversight.”

When you reach out to your Congressperson, make sure they know how you feel about IDEA and the importance of civil rights protections for students with disabilities. Ask them what they are doing now, and what they will commit to doing, to make sure that all students receive a free and appropriate public education. 

Section 504 Lawsuit

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that protects people with disabilities of all ages from discrimination in programs and activities that receive federal funding. Section 504 ensures equal access, accommodations, and opportunities for full participation in public schools, hospitals, public housing, and transportation systems. 

In the fall of 2024, Georgia’s Attorney General signed onto a lawsuit called Texas v. Becerra (https://bit.ly/504GALawsuit). The idea for the lawsuit began over language about gender dysphoria, but the actual lawsuit is much broader than that. Count 3 of the lawsuit argues that Section 504 is unconstitutional. It also disputes the Olmstead case, which upheld the right of people with mental disabilities to live outside institutions. 

Attorney General Chris Carr and other state Attorneys General have created a status report to the Judge that they do not want to end Section 504. However, as of mid-March, the lawsuit's language has not been changed, and it still argues that Section 504 is unconstitutional. For this to change, the lawsuit must be amended or withdrawn. 

You can reach out to the Attorney General’s office to share your thoughts about the Section 504 Lawsuit at (404) 458-3600 or email .