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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) led her House Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., requesting answers about federal grant funding that has been rescinded for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Program, which provides legal support for people with disabilities.

The letter is in response to concerns from Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) after the organization was awarded $960,270 in funding from Protection and Advocacy (P&A) grants but recently had $130,485 rescinded by HHS. DRM is the independent, private, nonprofit, nonpartisan protection and advocacy organization authorized by Federal and State law to advocate for and protect the legal rights of people with disabilities.

“There are 57 independent Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agencies in the United States, serving all 50 States and U.S. territories, the District of Columbia and Native Americans,” the lawmakers write. “Established in 1975, the P&A network continues to serve an increasing number of people with disabilities due to an aging population. DRM is a part of this P&A network and is an essential and nonpartisan organization that helps individuals with disabilities. Their advocates and lawyers advise individuals with disabilities on how to advocate for their human, civil and legal rights within the state of Michigan, and they play an important role in investigating abuse and neglect.”

“We are concerned that without full funding, the P&A network will face tremendous fiscal uncertainty, limiting their ability to serve individuals with disabilities who depend on their assistance. We worry there will be fewer investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation that will harm lives,” the lawmakers continue. “Through these actions, HHS is needlessly putting lives at risk and reducing the ability for our government to protect those in need. Without the grant, DRM will not be able to ensure patients are being discharged to appropriate placements with reasonable accommodations, represent individuals in administrative hearings to ensure they are receiving the benefits they deserve, and advocate for children so they can receive the proper behavioral supports needed to remain in school and receive instruction.”

The lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:

1. When should DRM and other organizations expect to have the funds from SAMHSA to return to their organizations?
2. What is the rationale for rescinding funding for Protection & Advocacy Grants for individuals with disabilities, which support programs to investigate abuse and neglect in facilities that care for or treat individuals with mental illness?
3. In the past, the funding was delivered in lump sum, but this year was being released in installments. Can you explain the reasoning for the change in distribution of funds?
4. Can you commit to ensuring that individuals with disabilities will continue to have access to legal advocacy that protects their human, legal, and civil rights, and explain in detail how you plan to continue providing those services?
5. What is the Department’s broader strategy to ensure that the rights and protections of individuals with disabilities are safeguarded?

The letter is signed by Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Haley Stevens, Shri Thanedar, Hillary Scholten, and Kristen McDonald Rivet.

View the full text of the letter here.