End Missouri's Participation in Texas v. Kennedy

Missouri is one of 9 states suing to overturn some of the Section 504 regulations, which has the potential to completely overturn the ADA. This litigation seeks to invalidate the integration mandate under Section 504 and, in doing so, threatens the foundational principles established in Olmstead v. L.C.. Together, Section 504 and Olmstead protect the rights of people with disabilities to live, work, and fully participate in their communities. Weakening these protections would jeopardize the access, freedom, and independence of individuals with disabilities.

 

If the Section 504 integration mandate is invalidated, it would create a pathway to erode the ADA's nondiscrimination protections and significantly limit the federal government's ability to enforce Olmstead against state actions.

At a time when Missouri and other states are facing budgetary pressures and potential reductions in federal Medicaid funding, federal Olmstead enforcement remains a critical safeguard against the unnecessary institutionalization of people with disabilities and the erosion of community-based services. Participation in this lawsuit risks undermining that safeguard. This litigation represents a direct threat to the civil rights of people with disabilities.

If you do not support Missouri being a part of this lawsuit, please reach out to Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, Governor Mike Kehoe, Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, and ask that they withdraw Missouri from Texas vs. Kennedy.