PLEAS Update: OLRS files brief asking court to uphold decision

On January 12, 2009, the Ohio Legal Rights Service (OLRS) filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Parents' League for Effective Autism Services (PLEAS), et al. v. Helen Jones-Kelley, Director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, et al. OLRS asked the Court to uphold the preliminary injunction order and to remand the case for trial in the district court. OLRS argued that the trial court did not abuse its discretion and it properly relied on governing law when it enjoined Defendants' proposed rules.

The lawsuit stems from complaints OLRS received from families of children with autism. Defendants' proposed rules, if implemented, would eliminate Medicaid reimbursement for medically necessary services to children with autism.

For more information

• OLRS' brief: OLRS' Response Brief of Plaintiffs-Appellees PLEAS, et al. (PDF file)
• Defendants' brief: Brief of Defendants-Appellants, ODJFS and ODMH (PDF file)
• Background information: Parents' League for Effective Autism Services (PLEAS) Lawsuit

Article posted January 14, 2009

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