A coalition of autism care providers is voicing support for the Trump administration's initiative to curb Medicaid fraud, stating that the alleged misappropriation of millions of federal dollars has negatively impacted both taxpayers and children with autism who depend on these services.
The Autism Families Alliance, a national advocacy group representing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers and families, argues that every dollar lost to fraud represents a loss of critical care for children needing to develop communication skills, independence, and overall well-being.
"President Trump and the administration are right: fraud is unacceptable and those responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Taylor Sanders, a family advocate at the Autism Families Alliance. She emphasized the potential harm to children if fraud leads to funding cuts or restricted access to care.
While strongly backing efforts to prosecute fraudsters, the alliance also expressed concern that broad anti-fraud measures could inadvertently create obstacles for legitimate providers and families. States such as Georgia, North Carolina, and Indiana have been implementing enhanced oversight for autism services. The coalition is urging policymakers to ensure that fraudulent actors are removed from the system without imposing undue burdens on families seeking care for vulnerable children.
"There’s real concern among the families I work with that their children’s care could be interrupted because of the government’s response to these criminals," Sanders stated. "Access to these programs aren’t a political talking point to these families, it’s their lifeline. Losing this lifeline is a real fear that parents worry about every day."
Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has echoed these sentiments, noting that many legitimate providers are frustrated by the presence of fraudsters. "The good news is, our biggest allies are the folks who are doing it right," Oz said earlier this year, announcing a national anti-fraud initiative. "Those people come to us actually frustrated, angry that we’re allowing, tolerating fraudsters who not only hurt people they care about but are stealing their business inappropriately."
Rocio Berni, whose son Manny receives ABA therapy in North Carolina, shared the positive impact of these services. "Working alongside ABA therapy providers has been immensely beneficial for my son," she said. "Manny struggled with tantrums, and while he loved being around other children, he was frustrated by his inability to communicate with them. Today, through the work of dedicated therapists, we have learned to better regulate his behavior. My son is now able to approach other children, and we hope he will be able to carry on basic, fulfilling conversations."
Kelsey Bennett, another family advocate and practicing clinician with the Autism Families Alliance, stressed that fraud has no place in healthcare, including ABA services. "As a practicing clinician, it is disheartening to see the actions of a small number of bad actors cast a shadow over the thousands of ethical clinicians who have dedicated their careers to improving the lives of children with autism and their families," Bennett said.
She added that while holding accountable those who engage in fraudulent billing and improper claims is supported, these efforts must be precisely targeted. "Policies designed to stop abuse should focus on those responsible without creating unnecessary barriers for families seeking medically necessary services. For children with autism, consistency and continuity of care are critical to long-term progress, and significantly limiting telehealth for supervision and assessments can further restrict access for families in rural and underserved areas."
Bennett concluded, "The overwhelming majority of ABA providers are committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care with integrity. Effective policy should protect public resources by eliminating fraud while preserving timely access to medically necessary treatment for the children and families these programs were created to serve. Children with autism should never bear the consequences of the unethical actions of a small minority of providers."