Connecticut DSS Employee Cindy Rusczyk Violates ADA Accommodation by Redirecting Ability Beyond Records Request to Portal in Federally Funded ABI Waiver Program National Medicaid FOIA Obstruction Exposed:

National Medicaid FOIA Obstruction Exposed: Connecticut DSS Employee Cindy Rusczyk Violates ADA Accommodation by Redirecting Ability Beyond Records Request to Portal in Federally Funded ABI Waiver Program About Cindy Rusczyk Professional Who / What / When / Where / Why / How Analysis Who Cindy Rusczyk is an employee of the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), the state agency responsible for administering the federally funded Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program. She holds a position that involves handling public records requests, including Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) inquiries. What On February 27, 2026, Cindy Rusczyk responded to a properly submitted Connecticut Freedom of Information Act request from David Medeiros and ABI Resources LLC. The request sought all records concerning Ability Beyond (formerly Ability Beyond Disability, Inc.) in the ABI Waiver Program I & II. Instead of processing the request directly or forwarding it as required, she instructed the requester to create an account and file through the separate Department of Administrative Services (DAS) online portal. This response ignored explicit ADA reasonable accommodation demands for written-only communication and no additional barriers (such as portals or logins) due to the requester’s documented traumatic brain injury (TBI). When The original FOIA was sent on Friday, February 27, 2026. Cindy Rusczyk’s reply was sent the same day, within hours of receipt. This occurred after David Medeiros had already submitted multiple prior national whistleblower reports (November 2023, December 2023, and September 2024) documenting retaliation in the same federally funded program. Where The interaction occurred entirely via official email correspondence. The FOIA was sent to the Commissioner’s office and DSS general contacts. Cindy Rusczyk responded from her official DSS email address (Cindy.Rusczyk@ct.gov) while working at the Department of Social Services headquarters, 55 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Why Cindy Rusczyk’s response appears to be an attempt to redirect and delay a sensitive public records request involving a major former ABI Waiver provider (Ability Beyond) whose records are central to documenting federal Medicaid spending patterns. By requiring a portal and account creation, the response imposes additional burdens that directly contradict the ADA accommodations previously demanded and legally required for a disabled TBI survivor and protected whistleblower. This creates the appearance of obstruction in a matter involving billions in national federal matching funds (FMAP) and potential program integrity issues. How The response was delivered by simply stating: “If your Freedom of Information requests are for records from the Department of Administrative Services, your requests must be filed online in our portal” and providing a link, without acknowledging the ADA accommodations, confirming receipt, routing the request internally, or providing any of the required written confirmations within five business days. No forwarding occurred, no redaction log was referenced, and no timeline for production was offered actions explicitly required under the original FOIA and ADA rules. The Biggest Picture This single interaction is not an isolated administrative mistake. It is the latest documented example in a national pattern of state-level obstruction against whistleblowers who seek transparency in federally funded Medicaid HCBS and ABI Waiver programs. Ability Beyond’s records (corporate identity, FMAP claims data, client reassignments from its 2021 exit, and communications) are critical evidence of how federal taxpayer dollars flow through these programs in every state. When a state employee like Cindy Rusczyk redirects a disabled whistleblower’s lawful request to an improper portal, it delays accountability, protects the status quo, and sends a chilling message nationwide: those who report waste, steering, and consumer harm will face extra barriers. Connecticut has become the most thoroughly documented test case proving that these tactics occur across all 50 states. Federal agencies (DOJ Civil Rights Division, FBI Health Care Fraud Unit, HHS OCR, CMS Program Integrity, and DOL) now have clear, dated evidence of how one employee’s actions fit into the larger effort to shield federally funded programs from scrutiny. The public record is building — and the federal response is coming. For Immediate Review by: DOJ Civil Rights Division • FBI Health Care Fraud Unit • HHS Office for Civil Rights • CMS Center for Program Integrity • DOL Wage & Hour Division • GAO • U.S. Senate Finance & HELP Committees 1. National Context — Why This Case Matters to Every State The Connecticut ABI Waiver Program is a federal-state Medicaid partnership funded by billions in federal matching dollars (FMAP 50–65%). David Medeiros, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor and small provider, submitted a detailed FOIA request on February 27, 2026, seeking all records concerning Ability Beyond (formerly Ability Beyond Disability, Inc.), a major former provider in the ABI Waiver Program. Ability Beyond’s records are critical evidence of provider exits, consumer reassignments, and federal-fund usage patterns that are identical across all 50 states. 2. The FOIA Request (February 27, 2026) David Medeiros requested exhaustive records on Ability Beyond (EIN 06-0776594), including corporate identity, enrollment, financial claims with exact FMAP shares, client transfers (especially the February 2021 exit affecting ~24 consumers), communications, and investigations. The request included explicit ADA accommodations (written-only, no portals), proper routing, expedited processing, fee waiver, litigation hold, and written confirmation within five business days. 3. Cindy Rusczyk’s Unlawful Response (Same Day) Cindy Rusczyk replied by directing David Medeiros to create an account in the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) online portal. This response: Ignores the explicit ADA reasonable accommodation prohibiting portals and additional barriers for TBI. Fails to provide written confirmation of receipt or routing. Fails to forward the request or identify the correct custodian. Constitutes deliberate deflection and obstruction of a public records request in a federally funded program. 4. The Federal Violations Cindy Rusczyk’s actions violate: ADA Title II (42 U.S.C. § 12132; 28 C.F.R. § 35.130, § 35.160) – failure to provide reasonable accommodation and retaliation against a protected whistleblower. Rehabilitation Act § 504 – discrimination by a recipient of federal Medicaid funds. Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-200 et seq.) – improper denial and failure to process. Federal whistleblower protections tied to reporting misuse of national Medicaid dollars. 5. National Significance of Ability Beyond Ability Beyond was a major ABI Waiver provider before its February 2021 exit and consumer reassignment. Its corporate, financial, client, and communication records are essential to proving the nationwide pattern of provider steering, record withholding, and federal-fund waste in Medicaid HCBS and ABI waiver programs across all 50 states. 6. David Medeiros’ Immediate Follow-Up On March 2, 2026, David Medeiros sent a formal complaint letter rejecting the portal redirect, demanding direct processing, and issuing federal notice. The matter is now documented and ready for federal escalation. Full Evidence Package Now Available in Livewire Archive Original FOIA Request dated February 27, 2026 Cindy Rusczyk Response dated February 27, 2026 March 2, 2026 Formal Complaint Letter All prior national whistleblower reports (2023–2024) 7. National Call to Action When a disabled whistleblower requests public records about federal Medicaid spending, the state cannot hide behind portals or bureaucracy. Connecticut’s obstruction is the latest chapter in the documented national pattern of retaliation and lack of transparency in HCBS/ABI waiver programs. Federal oversight is required. Author David Medeiros Publish Date