Disability advocates urge Columbia council to push Missouri to withdraw from Texas v. Becerra and protect Section 504 protections

At the March 3 council meeting Jackie Sample, identifying herself as Ward 3 and a disabilities advocate, asked the Columbia City Council to consider sending a letter urging Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey to withdraw the state from the multi‑state lawsuit commonly referred to in the record as Texas v. Becerra.

Sample explained Section 504 applies to any HHS program that accepts federal funds, including Medicaid and many health and school services, and said recent changes to Section 504 include requirements for accessible medical equipment, accessible websites and reasonable modifications to help people work and access services. She said the state’s participation in the lawsuit began with objections to specific wording but, she said, the lawsuit’s current posture seeks a full repeal or a finding that Section 504 is unconstitutional — a move she described as a “dangerous precedent” that could also threaten the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Sample said advocates have contacted the attorney general’s office without a substantive response and that other state attorneys general have publicly pledged to defend Section 504. She asked the council to “consider a way in which to speak out in support of their citizens who rely on this important federal funding” by opening a line of communication or writing a letter asking the attorney general to reconsider Missouri’s participation.

Council did not take immediate formal action on the request, but the matter was entered into the public comment record for council consideration and staff follow‑up.