Jury Awards $240 Million for Long-Term Abuse of Workers with Intellectual Disabilities

Historic Verdict Against Henry's Turkey Service for Men Subjected to Verbal and Physical Harassment, Housed in Substandard Facilities, Denied Medical Care

WASHINGTON - A Davenport, Iowa jury today awarded the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) damages totaling $240 million - the largest verdict in the federal agency's history - for disability discrimination and severe abuse.  The jury agreed with the EEOC that Hill County Farms, doing business as Henry's Turkey Service subjected a group of 32 men with intellectual disabilities to severe abuse and discrimination for a period between 2007 and 2009, after 20 years of similar mistreatment.

"The verdict sends an important message that the conduct that occurred here is intolerable in this nation, and hopefully will help to restore dignity and acknowledge the humanity of the workers who were mistreated for so many years," said EEOC Chair Jacqueline A. Berrien.  Read More...

From Beth Leslie, Legislative and Regulations Specialist Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities:

The website bill tracking report and list of bills by topic have been updated on the P&A website at www.ct.gov/opapd  All the legislative committees have finished their main work.  Now committees will have to handle bills referred from the House and Senate.  There are about four weeks left to the end of the session.  If you have a bill you want passed you should contact your legislators and remind them how important the bill is!  Beth.Leslie@ct.gov

SEEKING: CHILDREN ON MEDICAID/HUSKY A WITH AUTISM AND IN NEED OF APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS SERVICES

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a kind of therapy now well-recognized as an  appropriate treatment for children with autism, and it is required to be provided where medically necessary by commercial insurance plans in CT.   The CT Department of Social Services is refusing to pay for these services under the Medicaid program (also known as HUSKY A), except in very narrow circumstances.   These services must be provided under the special requirements of federal Medicaid law applicable to children. Attorneys experienced in Medicaid and disability cases are considering bringing a lawsuit to force DSS to provide ABA services. They seek children whose parents or guardians are willing to have them be plaintiffs in a lawsuit to be filed in federal court.  Click on this link for more information: http://www.ct.gov/opapd/cwp/view.asp?A=3147&Q=521824

This session there were four physician assisted suicide bills before the legislature. None left the Public Health Committee of the General Assembly so physician assisted suicide cannot become law this session.