1. WH loses appeal on Dept of Ed layoffs: A federal district court had previously barred the Department of Education from going through with the layoffs of about half its staff.
Secretary of the department former WWE exec Linda McMahon testified before Congress that they had done no studies or analysis about how the layoffs would affect students, teachers, or educational infrastructure overall before acting.
The administration appealed to the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston to lift the injunction, but the appeal was rejected. They can now choose to comply or take the matter before the Supreme Court. The latter would be a lengthy process likely hobbling many programs in the meantime, especially in special education.
2. UPenn-Yale research estimates 51,000 deaths annually from proposed Medicaid/ACA cuts: The research estimated the passage of Trump’s “big beautiful bill” would result in the following deaths:
- Ending Medicare Savings Program for subsidized prescriptions– 18,200 annual deaths
- Removal of Medicaid/care Services nursing home staffing rules–13,000 annual deaths
- 7.7 million people losing coverage via Medicaid and ACA–11,300 deaths
- Failure to extend Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits–8,811 deaths
3. Group of disabled activists, clergy arrested at capitol protesting Medicaid cuts: A group of activists made up of clergy and disabled organizers were arrested in at the Capitol on Tuesday after protesting Medicaid cuts. A group of 26 disabled protesters was previously arrested in May for disrupting hearings.
An estimated 14 million people would lose coverage under the proposed cuts. For disabled people, Medicaid provides access to healthcare and the ability to live independently or in-community, rather than institutions and nursing homes.
4. Senator Joni Ernst triples down on eugenic “jokes” about Medicaid: In response to a comment at a town hall from a constituent who was concerned that people will die from proposed Medicaid and SNAP cuts, Senator Ernst of Iowa smirked and said, “well, we’re all going to die.”
She later made a joke apology video in a cemetery, gaslighting concerned voters by reminding them that technically all humans are mortal, then somewhat inexplicably compared valuing human life to belief in the tooth fairy, followed by a suggestion that people to convert to Christianity.
Ernst was later seen on Twitter saying that instead of “whining” about Medicaid, folks should “get a multivitamin and a job.”
5. US Government begins building database on all US residents: Trump signed an order making the combining of data across agencies possible in March,; the NYT reported this week that the tech company Palantir’s AI mechanisms are working on the task.
Palantir is owned by billionaire Peter Thiel, who in 2009 called women’s right to vote “a blow to democracy,” and in 2023 said, “I no longer believe democracy and freedom are compatible.” He was a also major donor to JD Vance.
A database compiling detailed files on civilians has disturbing implications for all people, especially activists, immigrants, and disabled people already targeted by RFK’s tracking attempts.
6. Schools for the deaf and disabled under threat as states brace for proposed DoEd cuts. Bracing for a federal budget that eliminates nearly $300 billion in education funding, some states are taking advantage of their expected freedom under the block grant system and cutting special education budgets.
Internal sources at deaf schools in NJ, Delaware, Indiana and California have warned of staff and budget cuts for the coming year.
Missouri’s state budget also proposed the closure of 12 schools for disabled children with high support needs.
Lack of DoED oversight and block grant distribution allows states to take money from special ed with no consequences.
7. Hickson vs. St David’s Healthcare Partnership poses threat to ADA/504: Michael Hickson, a 46-year-old disabled Black man died in Texas in June 2020 after contracting Covid and being denied ventilator care and other ICU services. At the time, Texas and 24 other states had policies about rationing care that explicitly discriminated against disabled people. This is one of the things Final Rule updates seek to rectify.
The case is currently before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, a conservative court. If they rule in favor of the hospital, it would set a precedent that guts disabled people’s ability to file medical facility-related discrimination claims under the ADA or Section 504.
Action Items:
Share this info! Disability is often lost in mainstream coverage.
Call your Senator and tell them to vote NO on this dangerous budget. Choose 1 or 2 programs important to you–Medicaid, gender-affirming care, SNAP, IDEA, etc.–and mention them by name.
Call your state rep. and tell them to include schools for deaf and disabled children in their budgets, especially if you live in CA, DE, NJ, MO, or IN.
Call your House rep. and tell them to take a stand on government information overreach with Palantir’s project and other “registry” proposals.
If your state is involved, ask your Attorney General to withdraw from Texas v. Kennedy. If able, donate to organizations like DREDF, ACLU, and NAD who are fighting various legal challenges, and ADAPT who routinely put their bodies on the line in activist work.
Consider how to move toward creative acts of mutual aid, and protest, including offline materials. Make flyers! Call out misinformation. Warn your neighbors in the presence of ICE. If able march, boycott, donate and/or volunteer with your local food pantry or library.
Bonus Action:
The Department of Energy is currently rolling back ADA/504 protections by allowing entities to choose whether or not to provide accommodations based on “efficiency”. As written, it’s unclear what kinds of buildings will be affected, but the vague nature of the rollback is also part of the danger. Check out DREDF’s explainer and templates here.