Front & Center: Disability Rights, Community Care, and the Future of the Olmstead Decision

What could a recent U.S. Department of Justice memo mean for people with disabilities and the future of community-based care?

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Front & Center, where we examine the issues, like this one, that are shaping healthcare today and what they mean for patients, families, and those who provide care. Each episode brings together diverse voices from across healthcare to explore the headlines from multiple perspectives.

In this episode we examine the ongoing debate surrounding the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. decision and explore its potential impact on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Featuring perspectives from a family advocate, a public policy leader, and national reporting, this conversation provides context, examines the issues from multiple viewpoints, and highlights why this topic matters to patients, families, and communities.

Background

The U.S. Department of Justice released a new legal opinion in June regarding the Olmstead decision from the Supreme Court. It was a landmark decision and victory for those with disabilities to receive state-funded services in the most integrated setting appropriate. Prior to the court’s decision, the disabled were largely institutionalized – many of them unable to stay with their loved ones. Some called the ruling the “Brown v. Board of Education” of the disability rights movement.

But the new legal opinion from the DOJ calls the ruling into question. While nothing will change immediately, the administration of President Donald Trump is at least saying that they’re view is that there is no mandate to integrate the disabled into the community and the Supreme Court ruling is much narrower.

Just this month the DOJ’s opinion was followed up with a notice that they’ll no longer rely on longstanding Olmstead guidance when enforcing a key part of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Host: 
Jeff Cousins
C0-Chair, Global Patient & Family Advisory Board, The Beryl Institute
Healthcare professional with a background in patient experience. Extremely motivated to help develop and implement successful partnerships between healthcare team and families. Proficient in developing and overseeing patient and family advisory councils, mentorship programs and other initiatives to advance family-centered care in hospital settings. Jeff also spent more than 25 years working in broadcast journalism at WESH-TV, the NBC affiliate in Orlando.

Guests:
Rhea Campbell
Founding Member, Advisory Council, AdventHealth for Children, Orlando
Parent of two adults with special needs. Previous chairman of the AdventHealth for Children family advisory council. Currently employed by Kairos Adventures, a 501(c)3 foundation that supports the empowerment of people with varying abilities to discover and develop their unique God-given potential and purpose.

Dick Batchelor
President of Dick Batchelor Management Group, Inc., a management consulting firm that specializes in business development, strategic governmental affairs and public policy issues.
A former member of the Florida House of Representatives, Dick has been featured numerous times as one of the 50 Most Powerful People in Orlando.