RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has scheduled a hearing on whether to approve a proposed settlement between Virginia and the federal government that would shift the care of people with intellectual disabilities away from state-run institutions.
U.S. District Judge John Gibney will hear a request Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice and the state of Virginia to approve a $2 billion settlement agreement that would create about 4,200 waivers for people who are on waiting lists for services. Under such waivers, people with intellectual or developmental disabilities give up their right to state institutional care in exchange for services.
A group representing residents of state-run residential centers is fighting the settlement. They say the deal would shut down the centers, denying them what they consider appropriate care under federal disability law.
