Public Policy Update - November 20, 2025
Read a summary of recent public policy updates that may be of interest to North Carolinians with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). These updates are current as of October 23, 2025.
Federal
Budget
The longest government shutdown in history ended on November 12, 2025 with the passage of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through January 30, 2026. The legislation will make the government rehire the government workers that the Administration fired during the shutdown (more than 4,000 people). This includes the people who were fired from these offices that support students with disabilities: Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). These offices are responsible for making sure that students with disabilities receive the education and services they are guaranteed under IDEA, and that people with disabilities are protected from discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The legislation also restores full funding to the USDA, which oversees SNAP, after benefits were paused for the first time in the program’s history on November 1, 2025. SNAP benefits support more than 40 million low-income people, including about 4 million people with disabilities. States are working to ensure the full November benefit amount is available on EBT cards, though specific timing may vary by state.
Many Democrats in Congress wanted the bill to include an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits so there is division within the Congressional Democratic caucus. The promise from Senate leadership to allow a December vote on a Democrat-led healthcare bill applies only to the Senate; House Republican leadership has made no such promise. There continues to be concern about health insurance premiums increasing dramatically with the end of the tax credits.
Department of Education
Although the Continuing Resolution required the rehiring of staff, the Trump administration announced on November 18, 2025 that it plans to continue dismantling the Education Department by moving some of the duties to other departments. This aligns with the President’s previously stated goal of eventually closing the Department of Education, although this can only be accomplished with an act of Congress. His reason for closing is to give states more control over school policies. This is concerning because the functions of the Department of Education are key to ensuring civil rights and making sure states follow regulations that guarantee that every student can learn and succeed.
Department of Labor
On November 11, 2025, several Congressional representatives led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Representative Debbie Dingell, and Representative Lateefah Simon sent a letter to the Department of Labor Secretary requesting the rationale behind several recent actions that could negatively affect disability programs. These include:
- Section 503: The Administration proposed a rule that would eliminate hiring goals for contractors and stop the collection of data about how many people with disabilities are hired by federal contractors. Also, many staff who monitor compliance with Section 504 have been fired.
- Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP): The President’s proposed FY26 budget reduces the ODEP budget by 21%. ODEP promotes policies that increase employment opportunities in the federal government for people with disabilities.
- Subminimum Wage: The Biden Administration had begun a rulemaking process to phase out subminimum wage for people with disabilities, but the Trump Administration stopped this process. The Department of Labor continues to issue certificates that allow businesses to pay people with disabilities a wage below the federal minimum wage.
- Job Corps: The Department of Labor has proposed a rule to get rid of equal opportunity regulations in the Job Corps program. This program provides free job training and education for young adults to help them on their career path. In the past, this program included that sponsors of the Job Corps had hiring goals for people with disabilities. The Department of Labor is trying to get rid of this regulation.
State
Medicaid Cuts
On October 21, 2025, more than 200 people with disabilities, advocates, and representatives of provider agencies showed up at the legislature but it did not result in any change to the Medicaid rate reductions. There was some hope that a November session might bring action. Despite being called into emergency session by the Governor, the General Assembly has not returned to Raleigh and providers are facing rate cuts. The General Assembly asserts that the Department of Health and Human Services has funds to support the Medicaid program without cuts through April. The Department of Health & Human Services contends that they are mandated to balance its budget within the funding appropriated by the General Assembly. While this disagreement continues to play out, the reduced rates may make it financially unsustainable for some providers to continue offering care, potentially impacting access to critical services, especially for vulnerable populations such as those with disabilities. Continued advocacy is critical. Reach out to your representatives and to the Governor’s office to share how devastating these cuts will be for people with I/DD.
Olmstead Plan Feedback Opportunity
NCDHHS is seeking feedback on North Carolina's Olmstead plan which is designed to advance disability inclusion and equity. This plan centers the voices of people with disabilities, families, providers, and advocates to ensure our systems are equitable, accessible, and person-centered. NCDHHS wants to hear from you! There are a few ways to provide feedback. They are accepting written feedback via email at
NCDHHS also wants to engage with the community through virtual and in-person sessions, which will include ASL, interpreters and plain-language materials. If you are interested in participating, contact
The Technical Assistance Collaborative is working with the state to enhance services for people with disabilities and has created an online survey. The survey asks for public input on two things: how disability services are working in North Carolina, and proposed new principles to serve as the foundation for its work. The survey will be available through December 15, 2025.