State and Federal FOIA Request for Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program Provider Registry | Connecticut (Department of Justice, Disability Rights Division)

State and Federal FOIA Request for Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program Provider Registry State FOIA Request To: FOIA Officer and Supervisory Officers Connecticut Department of Social Services 55 Farmington Avenue Hartford, CT 06105 Federal FOIA Request To: FOIA Officer and Supervisory Officers Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Freedom of Information Act Office Mail Stop N2-20-16 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21244 Re: Freedom of Information Act Request for Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program Provider Registry and Related Documents Dear FOIA Officer and Supervisory Officers, Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552) and Connecticut’s FOIA statutes (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-200 et seq.), I am writing to request the following records related to the Medicaid Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program: Requested Records: Complete and current provider registry, including: - Provider names - Contact details (physical addresses, email addresses) - Areas of specialty and services offered - Provider enrollment dates and current status Documents governing provider inclusion, such as: Policies, regulations, or statutes detailing the criteria for selecting, monitoring, and removing providers from the ABI Waiver Program registry Records of complaints, violations, or disciplinary actions, including: Any and all records related to complaints, violations, or actions taken against providers in connection with their participation in the ABI Waiver Program Correspondence or documentation regarding registry maintenance, including: Documentation outlining the process and frequency of updating the registry, who is responsible for maintaining the records, and how updates are communicated to the public Agencies to Provide Information or Enforce Compliance: In recognition of the public’s right to transparency in the administration of Medicaid and public health programs, this request emphasizes that multiple state and federal agencies may provide the requested information or compel compliance: Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) Enforces compliance with state FOIA laws. Contact: 18-20 Trinity Street, Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: (860) 566-5682 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) Ensures proper management of Medicaid programs and enforces civil rights laws. Contact: 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201 Phone: (800) 368-1019 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Oversees state Medicaid programs and can compel state agencies to provide records. Contact: FOIA_Request@cms.hhs.gov | Phone: (410) 786-5353 HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) Investigates fraud or abuse in Medicaid programs. Contact: Wilbur J. Cohen Building, 330 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20201 Phone: (800) 447-8477 Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) – Connecticut Attorney General’s Office Investigates Medicaid fraud or improper management. Phone: (860) 808-5318 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – Civil Rights Division Enforces ADA and other civil rights laws related to Medicaid services. Phone: (202) 514-4609 Connecticut State Auditors of Public Accounts Conducts audits of state agencies, including CT DSS. Phone: (860) 240-8651 Legal Basis for Request: This request is made under 5 U.S.C. § 552 (FOIA) and Connecticut’s FOIA laws (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-200 et seq.). These statutes obligate public agencies to provide records necessary for the public’s oversight of government operations, particularly those involving public health and Medicaid services. 5 U.S.C. § 552: The Freedom of Information Act statute, which outlines the right to access federal agency records, the process for making requests, and the exceptions to disclosure​ Request for Expedited Processing: Given the critical need for transparency in the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program, I request expedited processing under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E). Delays in providing this information may hinder public oversight and efforts to ensure proper care for individuals with acquired brain injuries. Request for Accommodation and Fee Waiver: As an individual living with a brain injury and a stroke survivor, I request reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.). Please provide all requested records directly via email to AabiWR@live.com. Do not use any portals or third-party websites that pose barriers to accessing this information. I request the reasonable accommodation to know the complete names and titles of FOIA representatives communicating with me. Additionally, I request a waiver of all fees associated with this request, as it is made in the public interest to ensure transparency and accountability in the Medicaid ABI Waiver Program, and not for commercial purposes. Response Time: Under federal FOIA and Connecticut public records laws, agencies are required to respond to this request within specified timeframes. Contact me exclusively via email at AabiWR@live.com. Conclusion: I look forward to your prompt and complete response. If you require any further information, please contact me via email at AabiWR@live.com. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, David Medeiros Founder & Owner, ABI Resources 39 Kings HWY STE C Gales Ferry, Connecticut, 06335 AabiWR@live.com Key Legal Citations: 5 U.S.C. § 552 (FOIA) – Federal statute governing public access to government records. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-200 et seq. – Connecticut’s Freedom of Information laws. Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.) – Ensures reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.