FOIA request 174592 to Department of Health and Human Services

Every saved communication, in date order

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Freedom of Information Officers
Subject: Comprehensive FOIA Request for Connecticut Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program Records

Dear Freedom of Information Officers,

I am writing to formally request access to all records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C.  552) and relevant Connecticut state laws, specifically related to the Connecticut Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program. This information is critical to my participation in the oversight and administration of this program.

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.  794) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C.  12101 et seq.), I am requesting accommodations due to my condition. I respectfully request that all records be provided electronically via email, as opposed to portals or complex delivery methods, to ensure full and equal access to the information.

Scope of Request:
Legislative Records:

All bills, amendments, resolutions, legislative proposals, and legislative history related to the Connecticut Medicaid ABI Waiver Program.
Voting records of all state and federal legislators on any legislation affecting the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program.
Minutes, transcripts, and audio/video recordings of meetings, hearings, or discussions where the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program was a topic.
Public Records:

Comprehensive reports, studies, assessments, and evaluations on the Connecticut Medicaid ABI Waiver Program.
Budget allocations, financial statements, expenditure reports, and audit results related to the program, pursuant to Connecticut Budget Transparency Laws (C.G.S.  4-66 and related sections).
All contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and intergovernmental agreements involving the administration or management of the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program.
Correspondence:

All emails, letters, and other forms of communication, including internal and external, regarding the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program.
Internal memoranda, briefing documents, policy directives, and decision-making correspondence related to the oversight and implementation of the program.
Personnel Records:

Non-confidential employment records, including job descriptions, resumes, and performance evaluations, of individuals involved in the administration and oversight of the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program. This request is consistent with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C.  552a), which protects confidential personal data.
Organizational charts detailing the structure and personnel responsible for managing the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program within relevant state and federal agencies.
Program Information:

All guidelines, protocols, procedural documents, and compliance reviews governing the operation of the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program, as mandated by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Regulations (42 CFR  440.180) for home and community-based services waiver programs.
Implementation plans, performance metrics, outcome reports, and evaluation summaries regarding the effectiveness of the program.
Comprehensive data sets related to enrollment, utilization, demographic information, and outcomes of beneficiaries participating in the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program.
Special Requests:
Expedited Processing: Pursuant to Executive Order 13392, which mandates the improvement of agency disclosure processes, and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.  552), I request expedited processing of this FOIA request due to the public interest and personal impact of the information.

Electronic Records: In compliance with my rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA, I request that all records be provided in electronic format and sent directly to my email address. This will ensure that I can access the information without unnecessary barriers or delays.

Fee Waiver Request:
I request a waiver of all fees associated with this FOIA request under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(4)(A)(iii). This request is made in the public interest and not for commercial use. The disclosure of the requested information will significantly contribute to public understanding of government operations, particularly concerning the Connecticut Medicaid ABI Waiver Program, which impacts a vulnerable population. Additionally, due to my condition, as covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a fee waiver will ensure equitable access to this important information.

Relevant Laws:
This FOIA request, and the accommodations I am requesting, are governed by the following laws and regulations:

Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.  552)  Governing the right to request access to federal records.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C.  12101 et seq.)  Ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities, including in communication.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.  794)  Prohibiting discrimination based on disability in programs receiving federal funding.
Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C.  552a)  Protecting personal privacy in records maintained by federal agencies.
Medicaid Statute (Title XIX of the Social Security Act) (42 U.S.C.  1396 et seq.)  Governing Medicaid programs, including waivers like the ABI Waiver.
Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (C.G.S.  1-200 to 1-242)  Governing the right to request access to state records.
Connecticut Budget Transparency Laws (C.G.S.  4-66)  Requiring public disclosure of state budget allocations and financial reports.
CMS Regulations (42 CFR  440.180)  Governing the administration of home and community-based services waiver programs, including the ABI Waiver.
Executive Order 13392 ("Improving Agency Disclosure of Information")  Mandating federal agencies to improve FOIA processing.
Non-Waiver of Rights:
This request does not waive any rights I may have under FOIA, the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, or any other applicable law, and I reserve all rights regarding this matter.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request and for accommodating my needs.

Sincerely,
David Medeiros
ABI Resources

Departments of Submission:
State of Connecticut Agencies:
Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)
Email: foia.dss@ct.gov
Department: Department of Social Services

Connecticut Office of the Attorney General
Email: attorney.general@ct.gov
Department: Office of the Attorney General

Connecticut General Assembly (CGA)
Email: foia@cga.ct.gov
Department: Connecticut General Assembly

Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM)
Email: opm.foia@ct.gov
Department: Office of Policy and Management

Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH)
Email: dph.foi@ct.gov
Department: Department of Public Health

Federal Agencies:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Email: HHS_FOIA@hhs.gov
Department: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Email: FOIA_Request@cms.hhs.gov
Department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Email: foia.requests@usdoj.gov
Department: U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Email: foiarequests@hud.gov
Department: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Email: foiarequests@dol.gov
Department: U.S. Department of Labor

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Email: FOIA@ftc.gov
Department: Federal Trade Commission

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

DAVID MEDEIROS

Dear DAVID MEDEIROS, 

Your profile has been created in theHHS FOIA Submission Site and an email has been sent to the email address provided with a link to create your password to access your profile. Go tohttps://requests.publiclink.hhs.gov once you have created your password. 
User Name: 174592-18623438@requests.muckrock.com 

If you have any previously submitted requests to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services you will be able to view them when you login.
Regards, 
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Dear DAVID MEDEIROS, 
To create a password to access your HHS FOIA Submission Site profile. Follow the link below. 
https://requests.publiclink.hhs.gov/App/SetPassword.aspx?aun=WHztIBdCi9l1ne4sFsmIOpDi4P8XRdWAHnv3SVrYFFY= 
Once your password is created you will be directed back to the Sign In page, or you can click this link to return to theHHS FOIA Submission Sitehttps://requests.publiclink.hhs.gov.
Regards, 
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Dear DAVID MEDEIROS, 
The status of your FOIA request #2025-00410-FOIA-PHS has been updated to the following status 'Received'. To log into the HHS FOIA Submission Site click on the Application URL below. 

https://requests.publiclink.hhs.gov 

Sincerely, 
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Dear DAVID MEDEIROS, 

Request #2025-00410-FOIA-PHS has been assigned to the request you submitted. In all future correspondence regarding this request please reference request #2025-00410-FOIA-PHS.
Regards, 
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Subject: FOIA Appeal  Comprehensive Records Request for Medicaid ABI Waiver Program
FOIA Request Number: 2025-00410-FOIA-PHS

To the FOIA Appeals Officer,

I am submitting this appeal concerning my FOIA request (#2025-00410-FOIA-PHS) for comprehensive records related to the Connecticut Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program. I am seeking clarification and prompt resolution regarding the recent delays and scope of my request, as these records are essential for public oversight and effective Medicaid program administration.

Basis for Appeal
The initial acknowledgment from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed receipt of my request. However, no substantive updates or record retrieval details have been provided, warranting this appeal to ensure that my requests full scope is addressed and all responsive records are considered.

Scope and Breadth of the Request:
My original request included legislative records, public records, correspondence, personnel records, and program-specific documentation related to the ABI Waiver Program. I request confirmation that all relevant records, particularly those within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and interagency communications, are retained in the scope of the search.

Request for Expedited Processing:
Due to the urgent need for access to these records to support Medicaid oversight and program transparency, I renew my request for expedited processing under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(6)(E). The importance of these records to the public health oversight of vulnerable populations necessitates a prompt response.

Fee Waiver and ADA Accommodation Requests:
I renew my request for a fee waiver under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(4)(A)(iii), as this request is made in the public interest, aiming to enhance transparency in Medicaid operations, and is not intended for commercial gain. Additionally, I request that the following ADA accommodations are applied:

Email-Only Communication: Please ensure all correspondence, including responses and clarifications, is sent exclusively via email to AabiWR@live.com, as phone communication and portals are inaccessible to me.
Complete Response in Email Body: Include the full text of the response in the body of the email rather than solely in attachments, which pose accessibility challenges.
Clear Identification of FOIA Representatives: Kindly provide the complete names, titles, and direct contact information of any FOIA officers handling my request.
Avoidance of Portals or External Links: Responses should avoid using portals or links, ensuring all information is directly accessible within the email.
Confirmation of Interagency Coordination:
Given CMSs involvement and the potential for other HHS components to hold relevant records, I request confirmation that the full scope of my request has been forwarded to all applicable HHS divisions and that comprehensive interagency coordination will be managed to address the entirety of the information sought.

Relief Sought
I respectfully request that HHS conduct a complete and thorough review of all relevant records within its jurisdiction, including CMS or any other departments with oversight of the ABI Waiver Program. If further clarification is required to facilitate this search, I am available immediately via email at AabiWR@live.com.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to a full response within the statutory timeframe.

Sincerely,
David Medeiros
Founder & Owner, ABI Resources
39 Kings HWY STE C
Gales Ferry, Connecticut, 06335
AabiWR@live.com

Dear DAVID MEDEIROS, 
The status of your FOIA request #2025-00410-FOIA-PHS has been updated to the following status 'In Process'. To log into the HHS FOIA Submission Site click on the Application URL below. 

https://requests.publiclink.hhs.gov 

Sincerely, 
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Dear Mr. Medeiros, 
Attached is the final response to FOIA request 2025-00410-FOIA-PHS.If you have any questions regarding your FOIA, please e-mail our office. Sincerely, 

Natasha Taylor 
PHS FOIA Intake Team 
PHS FOIA Office Email: FOIARequest@psc.hhs.gov

Dear DAVID MEDEIROS, 

Your request has been received by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.  The request has been assigned tracking # 2025-00027-A-OS, please log into your account and review your submission. 

The application address is https://requests.publiclink.hhs.gov. 

Thank you, 
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

David Medeiros
ABI Resources, LLC
39 Kings Highway, Suite C
Gales Ferry, CT 06335
Date: November 18, 2024

Subject: FOIA Appeal  ADA and Rehabilitation Act Violations, Taxpayer Accountability, and Non-Compliance with FOIA Request (#2025-00410-FOIA-PHS)

To:
William Holzerland
Deputy Agency Chief FOIA Officer
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Email: HHS.ACFO@hhs.gov

CC:
HHS FOIA/PA Public Liaison
Email: HHS_FOIA_Public_Liaison@hhs.gov

Introduction and Basis for Appeal
This appeal formally challenges the mishandling of FOIA request #2025-00410-FOIA-PHS, including violations of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.  552) and federally mandated accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Specifically, this appeal addresses:

Failure to Honor Legally Required ADA Accommodations: The agency has disregarded explicit accommodations required under federal law, which undermines equitable access to public records.
Non-Compliance with Transparency Standards: No names, titles, or roles of responsible FOIA personnel have been provided, raising serious concerns about accountability and adherence to taxpayer-funded obligations.
Critical Need for Public Oversight of Taxpayer Funds: The requested records relate to Medicaid programs funded by taxpayer dollars, emphasizing the publics right to transparency and accountability.
The agencys actions represent not only procedural violations but also systemic failures in upholding public trust, disability rights, and government accountability.

Failure to Adhere to ADA and Rehabilitation Act Accommodations
Non-Compliance with Required ADA Accommodations
In my original FOIA request, I invoked my rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C.  794) and Title II of the ADA (42 U.S.C.  12131 et seq.) due to a documented traumatic brain injury (TBI). These accommodations are non-negotiable and legally required to ensure accessible participation in the FOIA process. The agencys disregard for these accommodations constitutes a grave violation of my federally protected accessibility rights.

Requested ADA Accommodations (Non-Negotiable)
Email-Only Communication via MuckRock Platform:
All responses, updates, and records must be sent exclusively through the MuckRock platform. No physical mail, phone calls, or external portals may be used, as these methods impose barriers to accessibility.

Direct Text in Email Body:
Where possible, response text must be embedded directly in the email body to ensure immediate readability and accessibility. Attachments alone are insufficient and must supplementnot replacethe response text.

PDF Attachments for Documents:
All documents must be provided as clearly labeled PDF attachments, organized by date and document type, retaining original formatting to ensure clarity and navigability.

Simplified Summaries for Complex Records:
For documents containing complex legal, financial, or procedural content, simplified summaries must accompany the records to facilitate comprehension in compliance with 28 C.F.R.  35.160.

Identification of Responsible Personnel:
Each response must include the full names, titles, and contact information of FOIA officers, decision-makers, and supervisors involved in processing my request to ensure accountability and transparency.

Detailed Justifications for Redactions and Denials:
Any redacted or withheld information must include detailed explanations, citing specific statutory exemptions as outlined under 5 U.S.C.  552(b), with sufficient detail to verify each exemptions applicability.

Expedited Processing:
This request qualifies for expedited processing due to its significant public interest, ADA compliance requirements, and implications for taxpayer-funded Medicaid oversight under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(6)(E) and Executive Order 13392.

Confirmation of Accommodation Compliance:
Upon receipt of this appeal, the agency must confirm that each ADA accommodation will be strictly adhered to in all future responses and communications.

Failure to meet these accommodations directly violates both the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act, and I am formally documenting this non-compliance for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Continued disregard will result in legal action to enforce compliance.

Transparency and Accountability Concerns
Failure to Identify Responsible FOIA Personnel
The agency has failed to provide the names, titles, or roles of any FOIA officers, decision-makers, or supervisors involved in the processing of my request. This lack of transparency raises serious accountability concerns, particularly when dealing with public funds.

Legal Basis for Concern:

FOIA Transparency Requirements: FOIA mandates that agencies identify the personnel responsible for handling requests to ensure transparency and public trust.
ADA and Constitutional Due Process: The absence of named personnel obstructs accountability and impedes my ability to pursue remedies under FOIA and ADA frameworks.
Critical Nature of Records: Taxpayer Money and Medicaid Accountability
The requested records pertain to the Connecticut Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program, which is funded by taxpayers. Transparency in the use and management of these funds is essential to ensure:

Program Integrity: That taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and in compliance with federal and state laws.
Civil Rights Protections: That Medicaid programs comply with ADA and Rehabilitation Act standards, ensuring equitable access for vulnerable populations.
By failing to provide these records, the agency is obstructing public oversight of a taxpayer-funded program and undermining accountability in critical government operations.

Relief Sought
Comprehensive Records Review:
Conduct a full review across all relevant HHS divisions and ensure interagency coordination with CMS, DSS, HUD, and DOJ to locate all responsive records. Provide a timeline for compliance and a detailed explanation for any exclusions or redactions.

Enforce ADA Accommodations:

Confirm compliance with my MuckRock platform-only communication request.
Ensure all records are provided in screen-reader-compatible PDF formats, with simplified summaries for complex documents.
Identification of FOIA Officers:
Provide the full names, titles, and contact information of all personnel managing or supervising this FOIA request to ensure accountability.

Expedited Processing and Fee Waiver:
Grant expedited processing under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(6)(E) and waive all fees under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(4)(A)(iii), as this request is non-commercial and serves the public interest in Medicaid program transparency and taxpayer accountability.

Legal Basis for Appeal
This appeal is grounded in the following legal standards:

Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C.  552): Governs public access to records and mandates agency transparency and accountability.
Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C.  12132): Requires reasonable accommodations to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C.  794): Prohibits disability-based discrimination in federally funded programs, including FOIA processes.
Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment: Protects against arbitrary or capricious government actions that impede access to public records.
Conclusion and Deadline for Compliance
Please confirm receipt of this appeal and provide a timeline for compliance within ten (10) business days. Continued violations of FOIA and ADA requirements will result in escalation, including:

Filing complaints with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS).
Pursuing legal remedies under FOIA, ADA, and constitutional due process protections.
Transparency, accountability, and equitable access are non-negotiable principles that must be upheld in the processing of this FOIA request.

Sincerely,
David Medeiros
ABI Resources

From:
David Medeiros
Founder, ABI Resources, LLC
39 Kings Hwy, Suite C
Gales Ferry, CT 06335

Date: November 18, 2024

To:
William Holzerland
Deputy Agency Chief FOIA Officer
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Email: HHS.ACFO@hhs.gov

CC:
HHS FOIA/PA Public Liaison
Email: HHS_FOIA_Public_Liaison@hhs.gov

Subject: FOIA Appeal  Comprehensive Records Request for Medicaid ABI Waiver Program (#2025-00410-FOIA-PHS)
Introduction and Basis for Appeal
This appeal formally challenges the mishandling of my FOIA request (#2025-00410-FOIA-PHS) regarding comprehensive records for the Connecticut Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program. It addresses:

Non-Compliance with FOIA Statutory Obligations:

Failure to provide complete, responsive records within statutory timelines.
Improper referral without substantive search or justification.
Violations of Disability Accommodations under ADA and Rehabilitation Act:

Ignoring legally mandated accommodations, obstructing access to requested information.
Lack of Transparency and Accountability:

Omission of responsible personnels names, roles, and direct contact information.
Failure to clarify the scope of the search or confirm interagency coordination.
Legal Violations
1. FOIA Compliance Violations
Under 5 U.S.C.  552, agencies are required to:

Respond within 20 business days with substantive updates or provide lawful justifications for delays or exemptions.
Conduct a reasonable search for all responsive records and clarify referrals to other agencies.
Provide detailed statutory exemptions for redactions or withheld information.
2. ADA and Rehabilitation Act Non-Compliance
Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C.  794) and Title II of the ADA (42 U.S.C.  12132):

Public entities must ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities, including providing accessible formats.
Denying reasonable accommodations, such as email-only communication and screen-reader-compatible PDFs, violates my federally protected rights.
3. Constitutional Due Process Violations
Under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, public agencies are obligated to:

Avoid arbitrary or capricious actions that impede equitable access to public records.
Uphold transparency in taxpayer-funded programs critical to public oversight.
Scope of the Appeal
This appeal reiterates the original requests scope and seeks the following records from January 1, 2020, to present:

1. Legislative Records
All bills, amendments, resolutions, and legislative proposals affecting the ABI Waiver Program.
Meeting minutes, transcripts, and recordings from legislative bodies where the program was discussed.
2. Public Records
Budget allocations, expenditure reports, audits, and financial statements related to the ABI Waiver Program.
Reports, evaluations, and studies assessing program outcomes and compliance with federal Medicaid requirements.
3. Correspondence
All internal and external communications, emails, memos, and policy directives about the program.
4. Personnel Records
Non-confidential employment records, organizational charts, and job descriptions for staff administering the program.
5. Program Documentation
Guidelines, procedural documents, compliance reviews, and performance metrics related to the ABI Waiver Program.
Appeal Demands
1. Immediate Compliance with FOIA Obligations
Conduct a full and complete search for responsive records across all relevant HHS divisions, including CMS.
Provide a detailed explanation for any referred, redacted, or withheld records, citing specific statutory exemptions.
2. Full ADA Accommodation Compliance
All future responses must strictly adhere to the following:

Email-Only Communication via MuckRock Platform: Responses must be delivered exclusively through email. Portals and physical mail are inaccessible and non-compliant.
Screen-Reader-Compatible PDFs: Documents must be formatted for accessibility and clearly labeled by date and subject.
Simplified Summaries for Complex Records: Summaries must accompany complex or technical documents to facilitate comprehension.
Identification of FOIA Officers: Provide full names, titles, and direct contact information for all personnel managing this request.
3. Confirmation of Interagency Coordination
Confirm that this request has been forwarded to CMS and any other relevant HHS components.
Provide timelines and tracking numbers for all interagency responses.
4. Expedited Processing and Fee Waiver
Reaffirm the need for expedited processing under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(6)(E) due to significant public interest and the requests relevance to Medicaid program transparency.
Reinforce the public interest basis for the fee waiver under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(4)(A)(iii).

Consequences for Continued Non-Compliance
Failure to address this appeal will result in:

Formal Complaints to Oversight Bodies:

Filing with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for ADA and Rehabilitation Act violations.
Submitting a case to the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) for FOIA mediation.
Judicial Remedies:

Pursuing litigation to enforce compliance under FOIA, ADA, and constitutional law.
Public Accountability:

Reporting non-compliance to public and media channels to ensure taxpayer accountability for Medicaid program administration.
Relief Sought
Comprehensive Review of All Records:

A full and thorough search across HHS and CMS to ensure no responsive records are omitted.
ADA-Compliant Delivery:

Guarantee accessible formats and adherence to all accommodation requests in future responses.
Accountability and Transparency:

Provide names, roles, and contact information for all FOIA officers and supervisors responsible for processing this request.
Timely Updates:

Deliver substantive updates on the status of all searches, referrals, and anticipated completion timelines.
Conclusion
This appeal reflects the legal, constitutional, and ethical obligation of HHS to comply with FOIA and ADA requirements. Failure to address this appeal promptly and fully will result in escalation to administrative, legal, and public accountability channels.

Please confirm receipt of this appeal and provide a detailed response within 10 business days, per statutory requirements.

Sincerely,
David Medeiros
Founder, ABI Resources, LLC

Dear DAVID MEDEIROS, 

Your request number was  changed from 2025-00027-A-OS to 2025-00027-A-PHS, by the agency. Please note the new case number to quote in your future correspondence about the request.
Regards, 
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Appeal Immediate Compliance Required with ADA Accommodations and FOIA Obligations

Dear FOIA Officer
I am writing to formally reiterate my request for specific ADA accommodations and compliance with FOIA obligations, which are essential for my full participation in this process. These accommodations were explicitly requested to address accessibility needs stemming from my traumatic brain injury and to ensure compliance with federal law. To date, your office has failed to meet these requirements, resulting in undue barriers and systemic non-compliance.

Accommodations Previously Requested
The following accommodations, explicitly outlined in prior communications, remain unfulfilled:

Exclusive Use of MuckRock Platform

Requested: All communications must be routed exclusively through the MuckRock platform. No external portals, password-protected links, or alternate communication methods are acceptable.
Non-Compliance: Communications have directed me to use external portals and password-protected links, violating ADA guidelines and my explicit requests.
Accessible Document Formatting

Requested: All documents must be provided as screen-reader compatible PDFs, properly labeled and indexed for ease of navigation and accessibility.
Non-Compliance: Provided documents have not adhered to accessibility standards, preventing effective access to critical information.
Simplified Summaries for Complex Records

Requested: Simplified summaries must accompany all complex or technical records to enhance comprehension and ensure equitable participation.
Non-Compliance: No summaries have been provided, creating unnecessary barriers to understanding the records.
Identification of Responsible Personnel

Requested: Each communication must include the name, title, and role of the individual responsible for processing or responding to my requests.
Non-Compliance: Correspondence has consistently lacked this information, hindering accountability and effective follow-up.

Immediate Action Required
To rectify these ongoing failures and ensure compliance with federal laws, I demand the following actions be taken without delay:

Transition All Communications to MuckRock

Immediately cease the use of external portals or non-compliant communication methods and ensure all responses are routed exclusively through the MuckRock platform.
Provide Accessible Documents

Reformat and resend all previously provided documents as screen-reader compatible PDFs, properly labeled and indexed to ensure accessibility.
Include Simplified Summaries

Provide simplified summaries for all complex or technical records, both previously shared and in future communications, to ensure accessibility and equitable participation.
Identify Responsible Personnel

Include the name, title, and role of the individual responsible for every communication moving forward to ensure transparency and accountability.
Legal Basis for Compliance
Your office is legally obligated to comply with these accommodations under the following statutes and principles:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Title II, 42 U.S.C.  12132, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act mandate reasonable accommodations and accessibility in communications for individuals with disabilities.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): 5 U.S.C.  552 requires transparency, accessibility, and adherence to procedural fairness.
Constitutional Protections: The First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution safeguard my rights to petition the government, due process, and equal protection under the law.
Executive Order 13392: Mandates improved agency disclosure of information to enhance transparency and accountability.

Deadline for Compliance
Your office must confirm compliance with these accommodations and provide the requested corrective actions within five (5) business days of this notice. Continued non-compliance will be documented as a violation of the ADA and FOIA and may result in escalation, including:

Formal Complaints: Filing with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office for Civil Rights.
Judicial Remedies: Seeking injunctive relief and damages for ADA and FOIA violations.
Public Advocacy: Reporting systemic failures to oversight agencies, media, and advocacy organizations.
Conclusion
This communication serves as a final request for compliance. It is imperative that your office address these deficiencies promptly to restore transparency, accessibility, and adherence to federal law.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and resolution by the stated deadline.

Sincerely,
David Medeiros
Founder, ABI Resources
DB.42.131.Inf.

CC
Federal Officials
Merrick B. Garland

Title: U.S. Attorney General
Contact: Department of Justice Contact Page
Kristen Clarke

Title: Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Contact: Civil Rights Division Contact Page
Xavier Becerra

Title: Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Contact: HHS Contact Page
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure

Title: Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Contact: CMS Contact Page
Lisa M. Gomez

Title: Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration
Contact: EBSA Contact Page
Michael E. Horowitz

Title: Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice
Contact: DOJ OIG Contact Page
Christi Grimm

Title: Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Contact: HHS OIG Contact Page
Gene L. Dodaro

Title: Comptroller General, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Contact: GAO Contact Page
Connecticut State Officials
Ned Lamont

Title: Governor, State of Connecticut
Contact: Governor's Contact Page
William Tong

Title: Attorney General, State of Connecticut
Contact: Attorney General's Contact Page
Andrea Barton Reeves

Title: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)
Contact: DSS Contact Page
Manisha Juthani, MD

Title: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health
Contact: DPH Contact Page
Jeffrey R. Beckham

Title: Secretary, Connecticut Office of Policy and Management
Contact: OPM Contact Page
Congressional Oversight Committees
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

Chair: James Comer (R-KY)
Contact: Committee Contact Page
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Chair: Gary Peters (D-MI)
Contact: Committee Contact Page
House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Chair: Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
Contact: Subcommittee Contact Page
Senate Judiciary Committee

Chair: Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Contact: Committee Contact Page

Merrick Garland	U.S. Attorney General	AskDOJ@usdoj.gov	202-514-2000
Kristen Clarke	Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division	webmaster@usdoj.gov	202-514-4609
Douglas R. Hibbard	Chief, Initial Request Staff, Office of Information Policy (DOJ)	oip.foia@usdoj.gov	202-514-3642
Michael E. Horowitz	Inspector General, DOJ	oig.hotline@usdoj.gov	202-514-3435
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure	Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)	Administrator@cms.hhs.gov	202-690-6726
Xavier Becerra	Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)	Secretary@HHS.gov	202-690-7000
Gene L. Dodaro	Comptroller General, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)	contact@gao.gov	202-512-3000
Alina M. Semo	Director, Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)	ogis@nara.gov	202-741-5770
Eric F. Stein	Director, Office of Information Programs and Services, Department of State	foia@state.gov	202-261-8484
William Tong	Attorney General, State of Connecticut	attorney.general@ct.gov	860-808-5318
Andrea Barton Reeves	Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)	andrea.barton.reeves@ct.gov	860-424-5053
Manisha Juthani, MD	Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health	manisha.juthani@ct.gov	860-509-8000
Jeffrey Beckham	Secretary, Connecticut Office of Policy and Management	jeffrey.beckham@ct.gov	860-418-6200
James Comer	Chair, House Oversight Committee	oversight.democrats@mail.house.gov	202-225-5074
Gary Peters	Chair, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs	hsgac@hsgac.senate.gov	202-224-2627
Jamie Raskin	Chair, House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties	raskin@mail.house.gov	202-225-5341
Dick Durbin	Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee	judiciary_democrats@judiciary-dem.senate.gov	202-224-7703
Ned Lamont	Governor of Connecticut	governor.lamont@ct.gov	860-566-4840
Matthew Ritter	Speaker of the House, Connecticut General Assembly	matthew.ritter@cga.ct.gov	860-240-8500
Martin M. Looney	President Pro Tempore, Connecticut Senate	looney@senatedems.ct.gov	860-240-8600
Federal Officials
Merrick Garland

Title: U.S. Attorney General
Email: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov
Phone: 202-514-2000
Oversight: DOJ operations, FOIA, ADA enforcement, civil rights.
Hierarchy: Reports to the President; oversees Kristen Clarke, Douglas R. Hibbard, and Michael Horowitz.
Kristen Clarke

Title: Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Email: webmaster@usdoj.gov
Phone: 202-514-4609
Oversight: ADA enforcement, civil rights compliance.
Hierarchy: Reports to Merrick Garland.
Douglas R. Hibbard

Title: Chief, Initial Request Staff, Office of Information Policy (DOJ)
Email: oip.foia@usdoj.gov
Phone: 202-514-3642
Oversight: FOIA processing and compliance.
Hierarchy: Reports to Merrick Garland.
Michael E. Horowitz

Title: Inspector General, DOJ
Email: oig.hotline@usdoj.gov
Phone: 202-514-3435
Oversight: DOJ investigations and audits.
Hierarchy: Reports directly to Congress and the Attorney General.
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure

Title: Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Email: Administrator@cms.hhs.gov
Phone: 202-690-6726
Oversight: Medicaid and Medicare program administration.
Hierarchy: Reports to Xavier Becerra.
Xavier Becerra

Title: Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Email: Secretary@HHS.gov
Phone: 202-690-7000
Oversight: All HHS programs, including CMS.
Hierarchy: Reports to the President.
Gene L. Dodaro

Title: Comptroller General, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Email: contact@gao.gov
Phone: 202-512-3000
Oversight: Investigates federal program efficiency and legality.
Hierarchy: Reports directly to Congress.
Alina M. Semo

Title: Director, Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
Email: ogis@nara.gov
Phone: 202-741-5770
Oversight: FOIA dispute resolution.
Hierarchy: Reports to the Archivist of the United States.
Eric F. Stein

Title: Director, Office of Information Programs and Services, Department of State
Email: foia@state.gov
Phone: 202-261-8484
Oversight: FOIA processing at the State Department.
Hierarchy: Reports to State Department leadership.
Julie A. Su

Title: Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor
Email: executive.secretariat@dol.gov
Phone: 202-693-6000
Oversight: Labor policies and ADA workplace compliance.
Hierarchy: Reports to the President.
Lisa M. Gomez

Title: Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), U.S. Department of Labor
Email: executive.secretariat@dol.gov
Phone: 202-693-8300
Oversight: Employee benefits and ERISA compliance.
Hierarchy: Reports to Julie A. Su.
Christi Grimm

Title: Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Email: media@oig.hhs.gov
Phone: 202-619-0088
Oversight: HHS investigations and audits.
Hierarchy: Reports to Congress and Xavier Becerra.
Valeree Villanueva

Title: FOIA Public Liaison, Office of Information Policy (DOJ)
Email: oip.foia@usdoj.gov
Phone: 202-514-3642
Oversight: FOIA compliance and inquiries.
Hierarchy: Reports to Douglas R. Hibbard.
Lori Hartmann

Title: Appeals Officer, Office of Information Programs and Services, Department of State
Email: foia@state.gov
Phone: 202-261-8484
Oversight: FOIA appeals and resolutions.
Hierarchy: Reports to Eric F. Stein.
Connecticut State Officials
William Tong

Title: Attorney General, State of Connecticut
Email: attorney.general@ct.gov
Phone: 860-808-5318
Oversight: State-level FOIA and ADA compliance.
Hierarchy: Reports to the Governor of Connecticut.
Andrea Barton Reeves

Title: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)
Email: andrea.barton.reeves@ct.gov
Phone: 860-424-5053
Oversight: Medicaid administration.
Hierarchy: Reports to the Governor of Connecticut. 
Connecticut State Officials 
Manisha Juthani, MD

Title: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health
Email: manisha.juthani@ct.gov
Phone: 860-509-8000
Oversight: Public health programs, including disability-related health policies.
Hierarchy: Reports to the Governor of Connecticut.
Jeffrey Beckham

Title: Secretary, Connecticut Office of Policy and Management
Email: jeffrey.beckham@ct.gov
Phone: 860-418-6200
Oversight: State budget and agency coordination.
Hierarchy: Reports to the Governor of Connecticut.
Ned Lamont

Title: Governor of Connecticut
Email: governor.lamont@ct.gov
Phone: 860-566-4840
Oversight: Executive authority over all state agencies.
Hierarchy: Reports to the citizens of Connecticut.
Matthew Ritter

Title: Speaker of the House, Connecticut General Assembly
Email: matthew.ritter@cga.ct.gov
Phone: 860-240-8500
Oversight: State legislative agenda and laws, including Medicaid legislation.
Hierarchy: Reports to the General Assembly and constituents.
Martin M. Looney

Title: President Pro Tempore, Connecticut Senate
Email: looney@senatedems.ct.gov
Phone: 860-240-8600
Oversight: State Senate legislative leadership.
Hierarchy: Reports to the Connecticut Senate and constituents.
Deborah Migneault

Title: Chair, Connecticut State Legislatures Human Services Committee
Email: deborah.migneault@cga.ct.gov
Phone: 860-240-1370
Oversight: Medicaid and disability-related legislation.
Hierarchy: Reports to the General Assembly.
Amy Porter

Title: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services
Email: amy.porter@ct.gov
Phone: 860-424-5055
Oversight: Aging and disability services at the state level.
Hierarchy: Reports to the Governor of Connecticut.
Nora R. Dannehy

Title: Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor of Connecticut
Email: nora.dannehy@ct.gov
Phone: 860-566-4840
Oversight: Legal advice and compliance for the Governors office.
Hierarchy: Reports directly to the Governor.
Kate McEvoy

Title: State Medicaid Director, Connecticut Department of Social Services
Email: kate.mcevoy@ct.gov
Phone: 860-424-5053
Oversight: Medicaid program management and waivers.
Hierarchy: Reports to Andrea Barton Reeves.
Advocacy and Oversight Officials
James Comer

Title: Chair, House Oversight Committee
Email: oversight.democrats@mail.house.gov
Phone: 202-225-5074
Oversight: Federal agency oversight and investigations.
Hierarchy: Reports to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gary Peters

Title: Chair, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Email: hsgac@hsgac.senate.gov
Phone: 202-224-2627
Oversight: Federal government operations and efficiency.
Hierarchy: Reports to the U.S. Senate.
Jamie Raskin

Title: Chair, House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Email: raskin@mail.house.gov
Phone: 202-225-5341
Oversight: Civil rights and civil liberties investigations.
Hierarchy: Reports to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Dick Durbin

Title: Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee
Email: judiciary_democrats@judiciary-dem.senate.gov
Phone: 202-224-7703
Oversight: Federal judiciary and legal compliance.
Hierarchy: Reports to the U.S. Senate.
Charlotte A. Burrows

Title: Chair, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Email: charlotte.burrows@eeoc.gov
Phone: 202-921-2945
Oversight: Federal employment civil rights compliance, including ADA workplace requirements.
Hierarchy: Reports to the President.

Case No. 2025-00027-A-PHS (Original Appeal No. 2025-00027-A-OS)



December 12, 2024



David Medeiros

MuckRock News, DEPT MR 174592

263 Huntington Avenue

Boston, MA 02115

174592-18623438@requests.muckrock.com<mailto:174592-18623438@requests.muckrock.com>



Dear Mr. Medeiros:



On October 20, 2024, you submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary (OS). Your request sought records related to "the Connecticut Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program." The OS FOIA Office assigned your request tracking number 2025-00410-FOIA-PHS.



On November 1, 2024, you submitted an appeal concerning your October 20, 2024, FOIA request. Your appeal stated that you were seeking "clarification and prompt resolution regarding the recent delays and scope of [your] request." Your appeal further stated that "no substantive updates or record retrieval details [had] been provided, warranting [your] appeal to ensure that [your] request's full scope is addressed and all responsive records are considered." The OS FOIA Office assigned your appeal tracking number 2025-00027-A-OS (subsequently renumbered 2025-00027-A-OS). I interpreted your appeal as an indication that you believed that the OS FOIA Office had failed to respond to your request in a timely manner.



On November 4, 2024, the OS FOIA Office issued a final response to your initial request. This response informed you that your request had been re-routed to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for review and a direct response to you. Because the OS FOIA Office has already responded to your request, your appeal is now moot.



CMS can further assist you with the processing of your request. If at any point in the FOIA process you need assistance with the processing of your request, you may contact CMS's FOIA Public Liaison. This individual can assist you in reducing delays in the processing of your request, increasing transparency and understanding of the status of your request, and assisting to resolve any FOIA disputes. CMS's FOIA Public Liaison can be reached using the following contact information:



Desiree Gaynor

CMS FOIA Public Liaison

E-mail: desiree.gaynor@cms.hhs.gov<mailto:desiree.gaynor@cms.hhs.gov>



You may also seek assistance from the HHS FOIA Public Liaison. This individual can be reached using the following contact information:



Paula Formoso

HHS FOIA Public Liaison

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs

E-mail: HHS_FOIA_Public_Liaison@hhs.gov<mailto:HHS_FOIA_Public_Liaison@hhs.gov>



Finally, you may seek assistance with the processing of your requests from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). OGIS serves as the Federal FOIA ombudsman and assists requesters and agencies to prevent and resolve FOIA disputes through mediation. Using OGIS services does not affect your right to pursue litigation. You may contact OGIS via email at ogis@nara.gov<mailto:ogis@nara.gov>.



CONCLUSION:



Your administrative appeal, 2025-00027-A-PHS, is hereby administratively closed as moot.



Sincerely,

Alesia Y. Williams

Director, FOIA Appeals and Litigation
FOI/Privacy Acts Division

Brandon L. Lancey
Government Information Specialist
Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts Division
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
Office of the Secretary (OS)
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Mailing Address:
Suite 729H
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201

Phone: (202) 691-2049
Fax:  (202) 690-8320
E-mail:  brandon.lancey@hhs.gov<mailto:brandon.lancey@hhs.gov>

Dear DAVID MEDEIROS, 
The status of your Appeal request #2025-00027-A-PHS has been updated to the following status 'In Process'. To log into the HHS FOIA Submission Site click on the Application URL below. 

https://requests.publiclink.hhs.gov 

Sincerely, 
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

FOIA Appeal  Enforcement of Constitutional, ADA, Taxpayer, and Whistleblower Rights
FOIA Case No.: 2025-00410-FOIA-PHS / 2025-00027-A-PHS
Date: December 13, 2024

"The agency's continued failure to comply with statutory obligations raises serious concerns about the integrity of its processes and adherence to the rule of law. If compliance is not demonstrated, it will be evident that this failure constitutes an intentional obstruction of transparency and accountability."


To:
Alesia Y. Williams
Director, FOIA Appeals and Litigation
FOI/Privacy Acts Division
Department of Health & Human Services

CC:
Paula Formoso, HHS FOIA Public Liaison
Desiree Gaynor, CMS FOIA Public Liaison
Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General, DOJ
Alina M. Semo, Director, Office of Government Information Services
Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, DOJ
Introduction:
This appeal formally challenges the mishandling of FOIA request #2025-00410-FOIA-PHS and administrative appeal #2025-00027-A-PHS, specifically citing:

Constitutional Violations
Non-Compliance with ADA and Whistleblower Laws
Taxpayer Accountability
FOIA Violations
Critical Failures and Violations
1. Constitutional Violations:
The improper handling of this FOIA request infringes upon my:

First Amendment: Denial of access to records obstructs my right to petition the government for redress, as affirmed in Richmond Newspapers, Inc. v. Virginia, 448 U.S. 555 (1980).
Fifth Amendment: Delays and arbitrary referrals undermine due process rights under Goldberg v. Kelly, 397 U.S. 254 (1970).
Fourteenth Amendment: Unequal treatment in addressing ADA accommodations violates equal protection guarantees.
2. FOIA Non-Compliance (5 U.S.C.  552):

Failure to Conduct a Comprehensive Search:
No evidence of a thorough search across relevant divisions (HHS, CMS, DSS).
Improper Referrals:
My request was improperly routed without substantive action or justification.
Failure to Provide Timely Responses:
Statutory timelines under FOIA have been flagrantly disregarded.
Lack of Detailed Exemptions:
No statutory basis (5 U.S.C.  552(b)) was provided for redactions or denials.
3. ADA and Whistleblower Violations:

Failure to Provide ADA Accommodations:
Ignoring my documented requests for accessible communication violates 28 C.F.R.  35.160 and 34 C.F.R. Part 104.
Whistleblower Retaliation:
These delays directly obstruct my ability to expose systemic issues in the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program, jeopardizing public interest protections.
4. Taxpayer Accountability Failures:
Transparency failures obstruct public oversight of taxpayer-funded Medicaid programs, undermining:

Program Integrity: Compliance with 42 U.S.C.  1396.
Fiscal Responsibility: Accountability for budget allocations and expenditures.
Civil Rights Compliance: Adherence to ADA and Section 504 for vulnerable populations.
Specific Relief Sought
Comprehensive Records Review:

Conduct a complete search across all relevant entities (HHS, CMS, DSS).
Confirm interagency coordination and provide detailed timelines for compliance.
ADA-Compliant Delivery:

Muckrock Platform Only: Cease external portals, external links, and physical mail.
Screen-Reader-Compatible PDFs: Ensure all documents are accessible.
Simplified Summaries: Provide plain-language explanations for complex records.
Identify FOIA Officers: Disclose names, titles, and roles of all involved personnel.
Detailed Justifications for Non-Disclosure:

Cite exemptions under 5 U.S.C.  552(b) for withheld or redacted records.
Expedited Processing and Fee Waiver:

Approve expedited processing under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(6)(E).
Waive all fees under 5 U.S.C.  552(a)(4)(A)(iii) as this request is non-commercial and serves the public interest.
Consequences of Continued Non-Compliance:
Administrative Complaints: Filing with OCR, OGIS, and Congressional oversight bodies.
Judicial Remedies: Legal action to enforce FOIA and ADA compliance.
Public Advocacy: Escalation to media outlets and transparency organizations.
Conclusion and Deadline:
I demand:

Immediate ADA compliance confirmation.
A complete response within 10 business days.
Failure to comply will result in escalation to all available administrative, legal, and public accountability channels.

Federal Officials
Merrick Garland

Title: U.S. Attorney General
Department: Department of Justice (DOJ)
Email: AskDOJ@usdoj.gov
Phone: (202) 514-2000
Oversight: DOJ operations, enforcement of FOIA compliance, ADA rights, and civil rights.
DOJ Contact Page
Kristen Clarke

Title: Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Department: Department of Justice (DOJ)
Email: webmaster@usdoj.gov
Phone: (202) 514-4609
Oversight: Protection of ADA rights, civil rights enforcement, and transparency.
Civil Rights Division Contact Page
Douglas R. Hibbard

Title: Chief, Initial Request Staff, Office of Information Policy
Department: Department of Justice (DOJ)
Email: oip.foia@usdoj.gov
Phone: (202) 514-3642
Oversight: FOIA appeals, transparency in government records.
OIP Contact Page
Michael E. Horowitz

Title: Inspector General
Department: Department of Justice (DOJ)
Email: oig.hotline@usdoj.gov
Phone: (202) 514-3435
Oversight: Investigations into FOIA non-compliance, ADA rights violations.
DOJ OIG Contact Page
Xavier Becerra

Title: Secretary
Department: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
Email: Secretary@HHS.gov
Phone: (202) 690-7000
Oversight: Administration of Medicaid programs, ADA compliance, FOIA transparency.
HHS Contact Page
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure

Title: Administrator
Department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Email: Administrator@cms.hhs.gov
Phone: (202) 690-6726
Oversight: Medicaid program transparency, enforcement of ADA compliance.
CMS Contact Page
Gene L. Dodaro

Title: Comptroller General
Department: U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Email: contact@gao.gov
Phone: (202) 512-3000
Oversight: Audits of federal Medicaid programs, taxpayer rights protection.
GAO Contact Page
Alina M. Semo

Title: Director
Department: Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
Email: ogis@nara.gov
Phone: (202) 741-5770
Oversight: Mediation of FOIA disputes, enhancement of government transparency.
OGIS Contact Page
Connecticut State Officials
William Tong

Title: Attorney General
Department: Office of the Attorney General, State of Connecticut
Email: attorney.general@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 808-5318
Oversight: Enforcement of ADA and FOIA compliance in Connecticut.
Attorney General Contact Page
Andrea Barton Reeves

Title: Commissioner
Department: Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)
Email: andrea.barton.reeves@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 424-5053
Oversight: Medicaid program compliance, transparency in state programs.
DSS Contact Page
Ned Lamont

Title: Governor
Department: Office of the Governor, State of Connecticut
Email: governor.lamont@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 566-4840
Oversight: Executive oversight of state agency compliance with FOIA and ADA.
Governors Contact Page
Advocacy and Oversight Officials
Paula Formoso

Title: HHS FOIA Public Liaison
Department: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
Email: HHS_FOIA_Public_Liaison@hhs.gov
Phone: (202) 690-7453
Oversight: Resolution of FOIA appeals and mediation of HHS disputes.
HHS FOIA Contact Page
Desiree Gaynor

Title: CMS FOIA Public Liaison
Department: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Email: desiree.gaynor@cms.hhs.gov
Phone: (410) 786-5353
Oversight: FOIA compliance, Medicaid records transparency.
CMS FOIA Contact Page

Sincerely,
David Medeiros
Founder, ABI Resources
DB.42.131.Inf. https://www.ctbraininjury.com/blog/tags/db-42-131-inf
https://x.com/ABIresources/status/1866212331279339765 https://www.youtube.com/@ABI.RESOURCES-CT-ABI-MFP-CARE/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2

Case No. 2025-00032-A-PHS (Original Appeal No. 2025-00032-A-OS)



January 7, 2025



David Medeiros

MuckRock News, DEPT MR 174592

263 Huntington Avenue

Boston, MA 02115

174592-18623438@requests.muckrock.com<mailto:174592-18623438@requests.muckrock.com>



Dear Mr. Medeiros:

Escalated Legal Complaint and Appeal 
*****  10/17/2024 Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request: Subject: Comprehensive FOIA Request for Connecticut Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury Waiver Program Records (Department of Health and Human Services)

"The absence of any records for a federally funded Medicaid program, such as the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver, spanning over a decade raises significant concerns about systemic failures in governance, transparency, and accountability. Under federal law, agencies are mandated to maintain comprehensive documentation for oversight and compliance. A response claiming 'no records found' suggests either gross negligence, deliberate suppression of information, or fundamental mismanagement. This failure not only undermines public trust but also jeopardizes the rights of vulnerable citizens relying on these services, while taxpayers are left without assurance that their contributions are being used responsibly. Such circumstances warrant a thorough investigation into record-keeping practices, potential misconduct, and whether federal and constitutional obligations have been violated." 
David Medeiros

.....
Heres a detailed and comprehensive explainer designed to educate the public on what happened, highlighting the systemic failures, the impact on Medicaid ABI Waiver consumers and taxpayers, and the broader implications for transparency, accountability, and justice:

What Happened?
David Medeiros, a whistleblower and advocate for people with brain injuries, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He sought detailed records about the Connecticut Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program, a publicly funded program that provides essential services to individuals with brain injuries. The requested records spanned from January 1, 2012, to the present and included communications, funding details, policy analysis, and compliance oversight.

David's goal was clear: to ensure transparency and accountability in how taxpayer dollars are managed and spent in this program, especially given his role as a whistleblower advocating for improvements and protections for vulnerable populations.

The Systems Response: A Breakdown
Initial FOIA Request (October 30, 2024):

David submitted his FOIA request to HHS's Office of the Secretary (OS), which acknowledged receipt of the request and forwarded it to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for further processing.
CMS is responsible for overseeing Medicaid programs, making them the appropriate agency to handle this request.
CMSs Final Response (November 12, 2024):

CMS issued a "final response" stating they were unable to locate any records related to the request.

This means that CMS could not provide any documents about:

The management of the ABI Waiver program.
How funding was allocated or spent.
Policies or oversight measures ensuring compliance with federal laws.
Why this is a problem: The ABI Waiver Program is federally funded, meaning CMS and the state of Connecticut are required to document how these funds are used. A complete lack of records raises serious questions about record-keeping practices, oversight, and program integrity.

Davids Appeal (November 1, 2024):

David immediately filed an appeal, raising critical concerns about the handling of his request:
Continuity: Ensuring the transfer of his request to CMS didnt result in delays or information being lost.
Transparency: Asking for clear documentation of the transfer process, including contact points and assigned tracking numbers.
Accessibility: Requesting that all responses include full details within email bodies (rather than as inaccessible attachments), recognizing his memory disability and brain injury.
HHS OSs Closure of the Appeal (January 7, 2025):

The Office of the Secretary closed Davids appeal, stating that because CMS had issued a final response (claiming no records exist), the matter was resolved.
They did not address Davids concerns about procedural flaws, accessibility, or the systemic implications of CMSs inability to locate records.

What Went Wrong?
Failure to Locate Records:

CMSs inability to find any records for a federally funded Medicaid program spanning over a decade is deeply concerning.

Possible causes:

Poor record-keeping practices.
Negligence or systemic mismanagement.
Intentional suppression or destruction of records to avoid accountability.

Why this matters:

Medicaid programs are funded by taxpayers and must adhere to strict federal regulations, including documentation of funding, policies, and compliance oversight.
A lack of records undermines public trust and raises the possibility of fraud, misuse of funds, or failure to comply with federal laws.
Lack of Procedural Transparency:

Davids appeal highlighted serious flaws in how HHS handled his request:

Delays caused by transferring his request between offices.
A lack of clear communication about the status of his request.
Failure to accommodate his disability by providing accessible responses.
These issues reflect a systemic disregard for procedural transparency, which is vital to ensuring government accountability.

Whistleblower Retaliation and Intimidation:

As a documented whistleblower, David has faced systemic barriers to accessing information, raising the possibility of retaliation.
By stonewalling his FOIA request and failing to address his appeal meaningfully, HHS risks sending a message that whistleblowers will not be supported in holding the government accountable.
Harming Medicaid ABI Waiver Consumers and Taxpayers:

For Medicaid Consumers:

The ABI Waiver Program serves individuals with brain injuries who rely on these services for their independence and quality of life.
Lack of transparency in how the program is managed puts their rights and access to care at risk.

For Taxpayers:

Medicaid programs are funded by public dollars. Without proper oversight, theres no way to ensure these funds are being spent responsibly and effectively.
Mismanagement or misuse of funds harms not only program beneficiaries but every taxpayer who contributes to the system.
Broader Implications

Systemic Failures in Oversight:

If CMS cannot produce records for a program it oversees, this suggests a deeper issue in how Medicaid programs are monitored and documented.
Such failures could allow fraud, abuse, or noncompliance with federal laws to go undetected.
Erosion of Public Trust:

FOIA is a vital tool for holding the government accountable. When agencies fail to respond transparently or adequately, it undermines public confidence in their ability to serve the people.
Chilling Effect on Whistleblowers:

By failing to support whistleblowers like David, the government risks discouraging others from coming forward to report wrongdoing or advocate for accountability.
What Needs to Change?
Independent Investigation:

Conduct an independent audit to determine why CMS could not locate records for the ABI Waiver Program and whether this reflects broader systemic issues.
Improved Record-Keeping and Oversight:

Implement stricter policies to ensure Medicaid programs maintain comprehensive and accessible records in compliance with federal laws.
Support for Whistleblowers:

Strengthen protections for whistleblowers and ensure their FOIA requests are prioritized and handled with transparency.
Accountability to Taxpayers and Consumers:

Demand full transparency about how taxpayer dollars are used to support Medicaid programs, ensuring these funds directly benefit the people they are meant to serve.

Why This Matters to You
If you rely on government programs: This failure puts services for vulnerable populationslike the ABI Waiver Programat risk, affecting peoples quality of life.
If youre a taxpayer: Your money funds programs like Medicaid. Without oversight, theres no guarantee its being used properly.
If you care about accountability: This case highlights the importance of transparency and the need for robust systems to hold the government accountable.

In Conclusion:

David Medeiros sought the truth about how a critical Medicaid program is managed. Instead, he encountered a system that failed to locate essential records, dismissed his concerns, and closed the door on accountability. This isnt just about one program or one personits about ensuring our government serves the people with integrity, transparency, and fairness. 

**** David Medeiros is a TBI survivor and survivors are survivors for a reason and will continue to advocate with an appeal and report Alesia Y Williams' letter to the the FBI and DOGE.   

Additionally  Alesia Y. Williams Director, FOIA Appeals and Litigation FOI/Privacy Acts Division provided a file that would not be easily accessible to David or the public: 

FROM: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES        Office of the Secretary Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20201 Case No. 2025-00032-A-PHS (Original Appeal No. 2025-00032-A-OS) January 7, 2025 David Medeiros MuckRock News, DEPT MR 174592 263 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 174592-18623438@requests.muckrock.com   Dear Mr. Medeiros: On October 30, 2024, you submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary (OS).  Your request sought access to all records from January 1, 2012, to the present related to communications, funding, agreements, policy analysis, and compliance oversight involving Connecticuts Medicaid programs, particularly focusing on the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program.  The OS FOIA Office assigned your request tracking number 2025-00455-FOIA-PHS. On October 31, 2024, the OS FOIA Office issued a final response to your initial request.  This response informed you that your request had been re-routed to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for review and a direct response to you.  This response further informed you that CMS would log-in your request and issue you a new tracking number for your reference. In a letter dated November 1, 2024, you appealed the OS FOIA Offices response to your October 30, 2024, FOIA request. Your appeal stated that th[e] transfer to CMS for a separate logging and tracking process should include assurance of continuity, protection from delays, and accessibility in response.  You further asked that the full language of future responses be included within the body of emails rather than solely as attachments and that the OS FOIA Office confirm the transfer details of [your] request to CMS, including contact points and the assigned tracking number. OS FOIA Office re-routed your original October 30, 2024, request in accordance with 45 C.F.R.  5.25(a) of the HHS FOIA Regulations.  This provision requires FOIA Requester Service Centers to route requests to the proper Operating Division or Staff Division within HHS.  Based on the subject matter of your request, the OS FOIA Office determined that CMS was the proper Operating Division within HHS to process your request. Following the submission of your November 1, 2024, appeal, the OS FOIA Office reached out to the CMS FOIA Office to obtain an update on the status of your re-routed request.  The CMS FOIA Office informed the OS FOIA Office that it had received the same request directly from you, had logged-in your request under control number 110620247022, and had acknowledged your request on November 7, 2024.  In addition, the CMS FOIA Office stated that it had issued a final response to your request on November 12, 2024.  This final response indicated that CMS was unable to locate any records responsive to your request and included appeal rights.     Because CMS has issued a final response to your request, the OS FOIA Office considers this matter to be closed and is administratively closing your appeal. If you need further assistance with the processing of your original request, you may contact CMSs FOIA Public Liaison.  This individual can assist you in reducing delays in the processing of your request, increasing transparency and understanding of the status of your request, and assisting to resolve any FOIA disputes.  CMSs FOIA Public Liaison can be reached using the following contact information: Desiree Gaynor CMS FOIA Public Liaison E-mail: desiree.gaynor@cms.hhs.gov You may also seek assistance from the HHS FOIA Public Liaison.  This individual can be reached using the following contact information: Paula Formoso HHS FOIA Public Liaison U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs E-mail: HHS_FOIA_Public_Liaison@hhs.gov Finally, you may seek assistance with the processing of your requests from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS).  OGIS serves as the Federal FOIA ombudsman and assists requesters and agencies to prevent and resolve FOIA disputes through mediation.  Using OGIS services does not affect your right to pursue litigation.  You may contact OGIS via email at ogis@nara.gov. CONCLUSION: Your administrative appeal, 2025-00032-A-PHS, is hereby administratively closed. Sincerely, Alesia Y. Williams Director, FOIA Appeals and Litigation FOI/Privacy Acts Division 






Date: January 7, 2025
From: David Medeiros, Founder, ABI Resources

To : ALL 

Alesia Y. Williams Director, 
FOIA Appeals and Litigation FOI/Privacy Acts Division 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES      
 Office of the Secretary Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20201 

Desiree Gaynor 
CMS FOIA Public Liaison E-mail: desiree.gaynor@cms.hhs.gov

Paula Formoso
HHS FOIA Public Liaison 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
E-mail: HHS_FOIA_Public_Liaison@hhs.gov 

TO: All Key Stakeholders and Oversight Authorities
Federal Oversight Authorities
Merrick Garland
Title: Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
Email: doj.oag@usdoj.gov
Phone: (202) 514-2000

Kristen Clarke
Title: Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Email: civilrights.justice@usdoj.gov
Phone: (202) 514-4609

Michael E. Horowitz
Title: Inspector General
DOJ Office of the Inspector General
Email: oig.hotline@usdoj.gov
Phone: (202) 514-3435

Priscilla Jones
Title: Supervisory Administrative Specialist, Office of Information Policy (OIP)
Email: oip.foia@usdoj.gov
Phone: (202) 514-3642

Alina M. Semo
Title: Director
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
Email: ogis@nara.gov
Phone: (202) 741-5770 | Toll-Free: 1-877-684-6448

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure
Title: Administrator
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Email: FOIA_Request@cms.hhs.gov
Phone: (410) 786-3000

Xavier Becerra
Title: Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Email: HHS_FOIA@hhs.gov
Phone: (202) 690-7000

Lisa J. Pino
Title: Director
Office for Civil Rights (OCR), HHS
Email: ocrmail@hhs.gov
Phone: (800) 368-1019

Congressional Oversight Committees
James Comer
Title: Chair, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
Email: oversightpress@mail.house.gov
Phone: (202) 225-5074

Gary Peters
Title: Chair, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Email: committee@hsgac.senate.gov
Phone: (202) 224-2627

Jamie Raskin
Title: Chair, House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Email: civilrights@mail.house.gov
Phone: (202) 225-5341

Dick Durbin
Title: Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee
Email: judiciary@senate.gov
Phone: (202) 224-2152

Rosa DeLauro
Title: Ranking Member, House Appropriations Committee
Email: appropriations@mail.house.gov
Phone: (202) 225-3661

Bernie Sanders
Title: Chair, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Email: helpcommittee@senate.gov
Phone: (202) 224-5141

State Oversight Authorities
William Tong
Title: Attorney General of Connecticut
Email: attorney.general@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 808-5318

Andrea Barton Reeves
Title: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)
Email: andrea.bartonreeves@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 424-5053

Ned Lamont
Title: Governor of Connecticut
Email: governor.lamont@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 566-4840

Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC)
Email: foi@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 566-5682

Transparency and Advocacy Organizations
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Email: info@aclu.org
Phone: (212) 549-2500

Government Accountability Project (GAP)
Email: info@whistleblower.org
Phone: (202) 457-0034

National Whistleblower Center (NWC)
Email: info@whistleblowers.org
Phone: (202) 342-1903

Public Citizen
Email: action@citizen.org
Phone: (202) 588-1000

Open The Government
Email: info@openthegovernment.org
Phone: (202) 332-6736

Key Individuals Related to Medicaid Oversight
Michelle A. James
Title: Medicaid Oversight Official, CMS
Email: michelle.james@cms.hhs.gov
Phone: (410) 786-3033

Emmett Nicholson
Title: Senior Medicaid Compliance Official, CMS
Email: emmett.nicholson@cms.hhs.gov
Phone: (410) 786-7623

I. Constitutional Rights Violations
Legal Basis:

First Amendment: Guarantees the right to petition the government for redress of grievances and access public records.
Fifth Amendment: Protects due process in administrative actions and access to public records.
Fourteenth Amendment: Mandates equal protection and prohibits discriminatory practices.
Documented Violations:

FOIA Non-Compliance:
Significant delays and lack of responsiveness violate FOIAs statutory timelines (5 U.S.C.  552).
Obstructed access to public records impedes oversight of Medicaid ABI Waiver program operations.
Denial of ADA Accommodations:
Non-compliance with accessible communication methods (e.g., email-only responses, screen-reader-compatible PDFs, simplified summaries) restricts equitable participation.
Demands:

DOJ investigation into systemic violations of transparency and accessibility.
Immediate compliance with FOIA deadlines and ADA accommodation requirements, including release of requested records.
Key Case Law:

Richmond Newspapers, Inc. v. Virginia, 448 U.S. 555 (1980): Establishes public access to government proceedings.
Tennessee v. Lane, 541 U.S. 509 (2004): Enforces ADA compliance under the Fourteenth Amendment.
II. Whistleblower Protections
Legal Basis:

Whistleblower Protection Act (5 U.S.C.  2302(b)(8)): Protects individuals disclosing government misconduct.
False Claims Act (31 U.S.C.  3729): Safeguards whistleblowers exposing misuse of federal funds.
Documented Violations:

Retaliatory actions, including delays and suppression of complaints, jeopardizing transparency in Medicaid ABI Waiver program management.
Obstruction of whistleblower disclosures, preventing accountability for systemic failures.
Demands:

DOJ and OIG investigations into retaliation and suppression of whistleblower claims.
Full enforcement of whistleblower protections with acknowledgment of agency failures.
Key Case Law:

Garcia v. Department of Homeland Security, 659 F.3d 1176 (2011): Prohibits retaliatory actions against whistleblowers.
III. Taxpayer Oversight Rights
Legal Basis:

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (31 U.S.C.  6101 et seq.): Mandates transparency in government spending.
42 U.S.C.  1983: Protects federally granted rights from state or federal infringement.
Documented Violations:

Mismanagement of Medicaid ABI Waiver funds increases fraud and waste risks.
Non-disclosure of financial audits, budget allocations, and interagency agreements violates public accountability requirements.
Demands:

GAO forensic audit of Medicaid ABI Waiver expenditures with public release of findings.
Implementation of corrective measures to restore transparency and taxpayer confidence.
Key Case Law:

Board of County Commissioners v. Brown, 520 U.S. 397 (1997): Establishes liability for systemic financial mismanagement.
IV. ADA Rights Violations
Legal Basis:

ADA Title II (42 U.S.C.  12132): Prohibits discrimination and mandates accommodations in public services.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C.  794): Requires equitable access to federally funded programs.
Documented Violations:

ADA Accommodations Request
This request includes explicit ADA accommodations to address cognitive processing challenges resulting from my traumatic brain injury (TBI). These accommodations are legally required under Title II of the ADA (42 U.S.C.  12132) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C.  794).

Requested ADA Accommodations
To ensure accessibility and compliance with ADA standards (42 U.S.C.  12101 et seq.), I request the following accommodations for all communications and records:

Screen-Reader Compatible Formats

All documents must be provided in properly labeled PDFs or plain-text files.
Ensure that the documents are screen-reader compatible and retain clear, accessible formatting.
Exclusive MuckRock Platform Communication

All communications must occur exclusively via the MuckRock platform.
Do not send external links, emails, portals, passwords, codes, or require phone calls for access.
Text Embedded in Email Bodies

Key information must be embedded directly in the email body to facilitate comprehension and accessibility.
Simplified Summaries

Provide plain-language summaries for complex or legal documents to ensure clarity and understanding.
Identification of Responsible Officers

Include the full name, title, and contact information of all responsible officers handling this request.
Non-Negotiable Compliance
These accommodations are non-negotiable and are essential for ensuring equal access to information. Failure to provide the requested accommodations may constitute a violation of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act. Thank you for ensuring compliance and accessibility in addressing this request.
Exclusionary practices in public forums restrict equitable participation in program oversight.
Demands:

DOJ Civil Rights Division enforcement of ADA compliance across implicated agencies.
Systemic adoption of ADA-compliant communication policies and mandatory training for staff.
Key Case Law:

Alexander v. Choate, 469 U.S. 287 (1985): Ensures meaningful access to public programs for individuals with disabilities.
V. Civil Rights Violations
Legal Basis:

Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.  2000d): Prohibits discrimination in federally funded programs.
Equal Protection Clause: Mandates nondiscriminatory treatment by public agencies.
Documented Violations:

Systemic discrimination in the administration of Medicaid ABI Waiver programs.
Public humiliation and unequal treatment of program participants during forums and complaint proceedings.
Demands:

Federal intervention to eliminate discriminatory practices and restore equitable program access.
Corrective actions, including public acknowledgment of systemic failures and adoption of equitable practices.
Key Case Law:

Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999): Requires public entities to avoid discriminatory barriers in service delivery.
VI. General Remedies Sought
Accountability Measures:

Identification and discipline of personnel responsible for documented violations.
Appointment of independent monitors to oversee corrective actions.
Transparency Enforcement:

Immediate release of FOIA-requested records in ADA-compliant formats.
Public access to audits, interagency agreements, and compliance reviews for Medicaid ABI Waiver programs.
Systemic Reforms:

Comprehensive staff training on FOIA, ADA, and civil rights compliance.
Implementation of standardized accessibility protocols and accountability frameworks.
Restorative Justice:

Compensation for harm caused by systemic failures, including emotional distress and reputational damage.
Public assurances and policy commitments to prevent recurrence of documented violations.
Prepared By:
David Medeiros
Founder, ABI Resources

CC:

DOJ Civil Rights Division
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
Congressional Oversight Committees


CC:

Andrea Barton Reeves, DSS Commissioner
Governor Ned Lamont
Attorney General William Tong
Senator Richard Blumenthal
Senator Chris Murphy
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC)
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)

CC List
Federal Oversight
Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General
Kristen Clarke, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Michael E. Horowitz, Inspector General, DOJ
Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General, GAO
Congressional Committees
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Senate Judiciary Committee
Advocacy Organizations
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
Transparency and Civil Rights Watchdogs

CC:

William Tong, Attorney General of Connecticut
Andrea Barton Reeves, Commissioner, DSS
Alina M. Semo, Director, OGIS
Aundra Luckey, Chief, FOIA/PA Branch, DOJ
CMS and OCR Leadership

CC: Congressional Oversight Committees, DOJ Civil Rights Division, OGIS, and relevant stakeholders.
Copies To:

Office of the Attorney General, Connecticut
Connecticut Department of Social Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)

CC: Oversight and Accountability Authorities
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Title: Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) (Nominated)
Email: kennedy.robert@hhs.gov
Office Address: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201
Phone: (877) 696-6775

Kash Patel
Title: Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (Nominated)
Email: kash.patel@fbi.gov
Office Address: FBI Headquarters, 935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20535-0001
Phone: (202) 324-3000

Dr. Mehmet Oz
Title: Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (Nominated)
Email: dr.oz@cms.hhs.gov
Office Address: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244
Phone: (800) 633-4227

Vivek Ramaswamy
Title: Co-Chair, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Email: vivek.ramaswamy@doge.gov
Office Address: Department of Government Efficiency, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1414

Elon Musk
Title: Co-Chair, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
Email: elon.musk@doge.gov
Office Address: Department of Government Efficiency, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
Phone: (202) 456-1414

State of Connecticut
Ned Lamont
Title: Governor of Connecticut
Phone: (860) 566-4840
Email: governor.lamont@ct.gov

William Tong
Title: Attorney General of Connecticut
Phone: (860) 808-5318
Email: attorney.general@ct.gov

Andrea Barton Reeves
Title: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)
Phone: (860) 424-5053
Email: andrea.bartonreeves@ct.gov

Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC)
Phone: (860) 566-5682
Email: foi@ct.gov

Matthew S. Antonetti
Title: Legal Director, Connecticut Department of Social Services
Phone: (860) 424-5386
Email: matthew.antonetti@ct.gov

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Xavier Becerra
Title: Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Phone: (202) 690-7000
Email: HHS_FOIA@hhs.gov

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure
Title: Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Phone: (410) 786-3000
Email: FOIA_Request@cms.hhs.gov

Lisa Pino
Title: Director, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), HHS
Phone: (800) 368-1019
Email: ocrmail@hhs.gov

Emmett Nicholson
Title: Senior Medicaid Compliance Official, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Phone: (410) 786-7623
Email: emmett.nicholson@cms.hhs.gov

Michelle A. James
Title: Medicaid Oversight Official, CMS
Phone: (410) 786-3033
Email: michelle.james@cms.hhs.gov

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Merrick B. Garland
Title: Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Phone: (202) 514-2000
Email: doj.oag@usdoj.gov

Kristen Clarke
Title: Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Phone: (202) 514-4609
Email: civilrights.justice@usdoj.gov

Michael E. Horowitz
Title: Inspector General, DOJ Office of Inspector General
Phone: (202) 514-3435
Email: oig.hotline@usdoj.gov

Priscilla Jones
Title: Supervisory Administrative Specialist, Office of Information Policy (OIP)
Phone: (202) 514-3642
Email: oip.foia@usdoj.gov

Michael G. Seidel
Title: Section Chief, Record/Information Dissemination Section, FBI
Phone: (202) 324-3000
Email: foipaquestions@fbi.gov

Alina M. Semo
Title: Director, Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Phone: (202) 741-5770 | Toll-Free: 1-877-684-6448
Email: ogis@nara.gov

Congressional Oversight Committees
James Comer
Title: Chair, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
Phone: (202) 225-5074
Email: oversightpress@mail.house.gov

Gary Peters
Title: Chair, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Phone: (202) 224-2627
Email: committee@hsgac.senate.gov

Jamie Raskin
Title: Chair, House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Phone: (202) 225-5341
Email: civilrights@mail.house.gov

Dick Durbin
Title: Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee
Phone: (202) 224-2152
Email: judiciary@senate.gov

Rosa DeLauro
Title: Ranking Member, House Appropriations Committee
Phone: (202) 225-3661
Email: appropriations@mail.house.gov

Bernie Sanders
Title: Chair, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Phone: (202) 224-5141
Email: helpcommittee@senate.gov

Catherine Lhamon
Title: Chair, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
Phone: (202) 376-7533
Email: contact@usccr.gov

Richard Blumenthal
Title: Senator, Connecticut
Phone: (202) 224-2823
Email: blumenthal@senate.gov

Chris Murphy
Title: Senator, Connecticut
Phone: (202) 224-4041
Email: murphy@senate.gov

Sincerely,
David Medeiros
Founder, ABI Resources
DB.42.131.Inf. https://www.ctbraininjury.com/blog/tags/db-42-131-inf
https://x.com/ABIresources/status/1866212331279339765 https://www.youtube.com/@ABI.RESOURCES-CT-ABI-MFP-CARE/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2

Reference: OPM ID # 24-85 A-2025-00307 FCC-FOIA-2025-000358-A FIC 2024-0683 R000748-102524 2025-F-01035 R000354-102024 R000737-102024 AD2414036 A-2025-00351 2025-00027-A-PHS A-2025-00395 2025-00434-FOIA-OS A-2025-00393 OPM ID # 24-83 A-2025-00393 2025-00446-FOIA-PHS A-2025-00399 A-2025-00392 25-00142-FOIA PRI-25-023 2025-00032-A-PHS 110620247022 24-86 AD2414644 R000770-110424 2025-F-01651 A-2025-00467 A-2025-00401 2025-00481-FOIA-PHS 112020247009 112020247039 2025-00024-A-OS A-2025-00420 25-00044-F A-2025-00069 A-2025-00469 OPM ID# 24-88 & 89 2025-00638-FOIA-OS AP-2025-001 FOIA-2025-00562 FOIA-2025-00563 EMRUFOIA111524 F-2025-03523 2025-00574-FOIA-PHS 145-FOI-21320 OPM ID #24-94 25-OIG-177 FOIA-2025-01054 FOIA-2025-01052 EMRUFOIA120324-7 FOIA-2025-01053 OPM ID #24-95 FOIA-2025-01056 EMRUFOIA120324-7 FOIA-2025-01055 FOIA-2025-01057 R005487-120324 2025-01079-FOIA-PHS 2025-01078-FOIA-PHS FOIA-2025-056 PRI-25-045 FOIA-2025-01060 FOIA-2025-01059 FOIA-2025-060 FOIA-2025-01203 EMRUFOIA121324 #FOIA-2025-063 11034 539330-JBZ, 539298-RJM, 534659-XGL, 534094-QZH, 534069-BRQ, 534060-HWM, 533252-GXC, 535276-FSL, 532832-MJV, 532674-QMM, 532671-PPV, 532667-DRF, 523966-VSF, 497211-PFB, 490797-TJJ, 489456-MCB, 490814-TPF, 490215-DKH, 478957-DPX, 478956-NSD, 473045-JNW, 452335-DDT, 413343-FZP, 405540-ZXW, 397760-PRZ, 395050-TWW, 392179-NCW, 385105-BPN, 376153-JVL, 357494-WND, 354718-LTZ, 275528-PKR, 301882-TRG, 327008-WFC, 339860-FQG, 352533-WJH.6779 7959 17303 17304 3033 5282 14733 6577 10 10527 3519 28368 8560 63 3814 4923 4126 6612 4809 4850 35673 74 239 4850 3519 166 10661 14578 239 3033 4923 166 4850 6779 14733 3519 166 4850 10661 14578 3033 4923 166 6779 4850 166 3519 152 4121 10661 74 3033 239 5282 4850 14733 4923 4850 6612 4923 10672 63 6959 115 35673 10661 239 74 6779 3033 239 4923 166 3519 3033 14578 35673 166 4297 14 3519 5123 287 35673 14 59 3519 287 14733 4809 23077 4923 74 4735 4850 2667 3519 796 59 166 856 22238 35673 14 10835 3033 239 4297 3519 14733 796 3519 856 35673 22005 5123 59 4923 3033 239 14733 166 4297 3519 35673 5123 59 3124 14578 7683 74 10661 3033 239 7982 14587 2667 4121 287 129 11109 856 3519 59 2667 35673 22238 2667 11034: Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth 6779: Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities 7959: Senate Office of Public Records 17303: Republican State Central Committee Of Connecticut 17304: Connecticut House Of Representatives 3033: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 5282: Office of the State Comptroller 14733: Office Of Policy And Management 6577: Office of State Ethics 10: Federal Bureau of Investigation 10527: Federal Communications Commission Office of the Inspector General 3519: Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division 28368: Department Of Labor 8560: Department of Public Health - Medical Examining Board 63: Department of Labor 3814: Department of Consumer Protection 4923: Department of Social Services 4126: Department of Economic and Community Development 6612: Department of Public Health 4809: Office of the Governor 4850: Office of the Attorney General - Connecticut 35673: Department Of Justice 74: Department of Health and Human Services 239: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 166: Department of Justice, Disability Rights Division 10661: Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General 14578: Department Of Health And Human Services, Office For Civil Rights 152: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4121: Government Accountability Office 10672: Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division 6959: Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs 115: Department of Justice, Criminal Division 4297: Department of Justice, Civil Division 14: U.S. Department of State 5123: Director, Office of Information Policy 287: Office of Government Information Services 59: Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy 23077: CT Freedom Of Information Agency 4735: Department of State, Office of the Inspector General 2667: Office of Special Counsel 796: Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General 856: Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General 22238: U.S. Department Of Justice 10835: Department of Health and Human Services 22005: Department Of Justice Office Of Administration 3124: Department of Health 7683: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration 7982: Office of Special Counsel, Office of General Counsel [APPEALS] 14587: Office Of The Special Counsel Of Robert Mueller 129: National Archives and Records Administration 11109: Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia OPM FCC FIC DOJ DOL DSS CMS HHS CDC GAO OSC OIG PHS DPH DOT DOGE Department of Government Efficiency CHRO FOIA FOIC DI-25-000310 DI-25-000325 DI-25-000379
DI-12192024714 DI-12112024134 FBI

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• agency.txt
  Date: not supplied · 71 original bytes · Saved SHA-256 prefix (16 hex characters): 9170C954F40629FE
  Original file SHA-256: 9170c954f40629fe1e6bd4198128be3e19fc4004bf5cf07f31b0fe30da7f391e