The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, saying Florida has not done enough to improve the plight of severely disabled children, filed suit against the state Monday, the Miami Herald reports.
Parents of children who cannot survive without nursing care were given no meaningful option but to institutionalize them after the state cut back on in-home support, the lawsuit says. Three years ago, the state cut $6 million from a home nursing service, even while paying more to nursing homes for pediatric service.
Liz Dudek, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, responded with a defense of the state's accusation and accusation that federal officials are trying to take over Florida's Medicaid and disability programs, the Herald reported later.
