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WASHINGTON, DC (June 22, 2026) — National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia today made the following statement in response to the administration’s decision to issue a memorandum, which states that federal courts have misinterpreted the rights of individuals with disabilities to be integrated in their communities.
“The memorandum from the Department of Justice was both surprising and alarming. To begin with, Olmstead v. L.C. is settled law. As a result, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gave Congress the authority to prevent the unnecessary isolation of individuals with disabilities which could be construed as a form of discrimination.
“To argue now that federal courts have misinterpreted the rights of individuals with disabilities to be integrated in their communities without hearing from people and families impacted by this change seems unjust.
“We are deeply concerned about the implications that the Justice Department’s interpretation of the law could have on millions of people who rely on it to protect the choices a provider and person make in their treatment journey. We must consider the human impact to our nation if we strip long-standing protections from people with disabilities and people with mental health challenges.
“We will closely follow this issue to ensure the protections outlined in Olmstead v. L.C. remain in place.”
About The National Council
Founded in 1969, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a membership organization that drives policy and social change on behalf of over 3,200 mental health and substance use treatment organizations and the more than 15 million children, adults and families they serve. We advocate for policies to ensure access to high-quality services. We build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations. And we promote greater understanding of mental wellbeing as a core component of comprehensive health and health care. Through our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, we have trained more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.
Media Contact
Sophia Majlessi
Media@TheNationalCouncil.org
202-621-1631
