Is Idaho Heading Back to Institutions | Boise News

A looming crisis threatens to reverse decades of progress for people with disabilities in Idaho: budget cuts to home and community services could force a return to institutionalization. With roots tracing back to the 1880s, when state hospitals were built on the premise that segregation was the only solution, Idaho’s history is marred by overcrowding, abuse, and neglect. Landmark laws like the ADA and Olmstead’s 1999 Supreme Court ruling fought to center community-based care — but a recent DOJ opinion now questions whether those laws require states to prioritize integration. If adopted, this interpretation could undo hard-won rights, strain taxpayer resources, and rekindle the devastating human toll of institutional life. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/97dfd876ab1aab61