Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ared-3_16-cv-00119/USCOURTS-ared-3_16-cv-00119-8/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:12111 American Disability Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 

JONESBORO DIVISION 

ETHEL JACOBS, by and through her 

son and next friend Louis Welch 

v. No. 3:16-cv-119-DPM 

PLAINTIFF 

CINDY GILLESPIE, in her official 

capacity as Director, Arkansas 

Department of Human Services DEFENDANT 

ORDER 

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d) and for the reasons 

stated on the record at the end of the combined bench trial and final 

injunction hearing on 28 October 2016, the Court converts its preliminary 

injunction, NQ 32, into this permanent injunction. The Court orders Director 

Cindy Gillespie (in her official capacity), the Arkansas Department of Human 

Services, and all involved DHS employees to maintain Ethel Jacobs's 

ARChoices benefits, and in particular her attendant care hours, at the 2015 

amount. Jacobs's benefits may not be reduced unless and until DHS 

completes a new assessment and provides notice that satisfies the Due Process 

Clause and the Medicaid Act. The notice must be in plain and clear terms. 

The notice must explain why benefits are being reduced. The notice must be 

accompanied by a copy of the beneficiary's ARPath assessment. The notice 

Case 3:16-cv-00119-DPM Document 62 Filed 11/01/16 Page 1 of 2
must explain the benefit reduction with specific references (as applicable) to 

the beneficiary's ARPath assessment, the beneficiary's Resource Utilization 

Group, and the ARChoices system, including the algorithm. The notice must 

be as specific as reasonably practicable about the beneficiary's health 

conditions and reduced benefits. Finally, the notice must alert the beneficiary 

about any applicable limitations on the presentation of evidence at any later 

hearing about the benefits decision. 

So Ordered. 

-2-

D .P. Marshall Jr. ' 

United States District Judge 

Case 3:16-cv-00119-DPM Document 62 Filed 11/01/16 Page 2 of 2