The Attacks on Disabled Americans You’re Not Hearing About
Authoritarians Target the Most Vulnerable
Last year I narrated a documentary called Dual: The True Cost of Care, produced by New Disabled South. It told the stories of over 12 million Americans who rely on both Medicare and Medicaid — programs not designed to work together. These “dual eligible” Americans are among the most economically disadvantaged and medically complex people in the country. Nearly half live in poor or fair health. Many are people of color. Their struggles are real, and their invisibility is a stain on our country.
What makes it worse is that the Trump administration isn’t just ignoring them — it’s targeting them.
Breaking Health Care Is an Authoritarian Power Play
Republicans’ refusal to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies last week is Step 4 in the autocrat’s playbook in action: intentionally weakening the government so concentrated power becomes easier to exercise. Shatter trust in what people should expect from democracy, and they learn to expect nothing.
When the Trump regime began its assault on DEI, most people noticed the attacks on people of color, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. Far fewer noticed what was happening to the disabled. The Department of Energy quietly rescinded long-standing mandates requiring federally funded construction and renovations to be accessible under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. At the same time, the administration hollowed out the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Education — the office responsible for enforcing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the federal law guaranteeing children with disabilities a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment possible.
Whether it’s blocking access to buildings or gutting protections for students, the attacks are real and they are happening right now, largely out of public scrutiny.
The America we deserve has never been only about race or gender. It’s about who gets fair access and opportunity. Democracy is about shared power, and competitive authoritarian regimes always reveal themselves by how they treat the most vulnerable among us.
Just wait until all the special needs moms get together and fight back. They don’t play.
Predators always target the most vulnerable. They don't have to be authoritarians. Grifters will go after your granny's house,, etc. What is interesting is that the most powerful and greedy predators are now part of the State, so they can say they are doing nothing wrong.