Nov 21, 2024
Thousands of Coloradans will no longer be forced to live in nursing homes, thanks to a fight led by Disability Law Colorado.
A DLC complaint against the state Medicaid agency in 2016 prompted a federal investigation. At issue: Colorado’s practice of confining people with disabilities to institutional settings, instead of allowing them to receive care in their own homes or communities.
The U.S. Department of Justice found the state in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and has now announced a major legal settlement in the case. Under the new agreement, Colorado must provide a variety of services—including counseling, housing vouchers, and more accessible units—to help Medicaid recipients stay in or return to their communities.
“People with disabilities should not be warehoused in nursing homes,” said Emily Harvey,
DLC’s co-legal director. “This is a turning point for thousands of Coloradans with disabilities who have been hidden away for far too long.”
Watch Emily discuss our victory on KREX TV!
DLC encourages families, nursing homes, and community providers to review the settlement and report any suspected noncompliance to dlcmail@disabilitylawco.org.
