U.S. House Hearing on Class Action Lawsuits that are used to close Facilities for people with Intellectual Disabilities

The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice held a hearing on the use of class action lawsuits brought by government-funded agencies that often result in the closure of facilities for people with intellectual disabilities. Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs/IID) are medicaid-funded and highly regulated homes for tens of thousands of people with severe and profound disabilities. Parents and guardians whose family members live in these facilities were given a chance to voice their objections to lawsuits that include their family members against the wishes of the individuals and their families and without regard to the best interests of the individuals involved. Alison Barkoff from the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities defends the use of class action lawsuits and represents many of the advocacy organizations that have been involved in promoting deinstitutionalization of all people with disabilities regardless of the severity or nature of their disabilities. 

This is from the VOR Website: 

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VOR Testimony at House Judiciary Committee Hearings 

On March 6th, 2018 the House Judiciary Committee convened to examine the harmful effects of class action lawsuits aimed at closing Intermediate Care Facilites for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF's/IID). The hearing came at the request of Chairman Bob Goodlatte.

Testimony was presented by Martha Bryant, Mother, RN, BSN & VOR member, Caroline Lahrmann, Mother, VOR Ohio State Coordinator & past president, and Peter Kinzler, Father, longtime VOR Member, Director & Legislative Committee Chair. Alison Barkoff of the Center for Public Representation spoke on behalf of those in favor of using class action lawsuits against ICF's/IID and opposed to providing notification to families and guardians of individuals residing in these homes. 

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You can listen to the oral testimony at the Judiciary Committee Website or on Youtube and link to the written testimony by clicking on the names below.

At 19 minutes, begin testimony by Martha Bryant, mother and RSN, BSN, from Amherst County, Virginia.

At 24:50 minutes, begin testimony of Carolyn Lahrmann, mother and former president of VOR, from Columbus, Ohio

At 32 minutes, begin testimony of Alison Barkoff, sister and co-chair, from the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities.

At 38 minutes, begin testimony of Peter Kinzler, father and attorney, from Alexandria Virginia.