MIAMI (AP) — Federal investigators are threatening swift legal action if state health officials do not work with them to resolve allegations that disabled children are being sent to adult nursing homes unnecessarily.
U.S. Department of Justice officials say the state is violating the federal Americans with Disabilities Act by allowing more than 200 children with disabilities — and even babies — to be segregated in nursing homes, often for years.
Federal officials sent a terse letter to the state Tuesday and suggested a meeting in the next two weeks.
State health officials have repeatedly denied the allegations and stressed they are in compliance with federal law.
Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek said in a statement that children are receiving the medically necessary services they need.
