Autism care providers are voicing support for the Trump administration's efforts to combat Medicaid fraud, arguing that millions of dollars allegedly stolen from the program have deprived children with autism of essential services.
A coalition of autism clinicians, behavioral therapists, and families, operating as the Autism Families Alliance, has spoken out in favor of holding individuals accountable for the suspected exploitation of the Medicaid system. They contend that every dollar lost to fraud could have funded critical care for children needing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.
"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. "We do this work because we believe every child deserves the chance to communicate, gain independence, and live the fullest life possible."
While strongly supporting the elimination of fraud and the prosecution of those involved, the group also expressed concern that broad federal and state anti-fraud initiatives could inadvertently create obstacles for legitimate providers and families seeking care. They emphasize that for children with autism, consistency and continuity of care are vital for progress.
"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 added. "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."
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz has previously stated that legitimate providers are often frustrated by the presence of fraudsters. "The good news is, our biggest allies are the folks who are doing it right," Oz remarked earlier this year during the announcement of 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, the mother of a child receiving ABA therapy, shared how the services have benefited her son, Manny. "Working alongside ABA therapy providers has been immensely beneficial for my son," she stated. "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. I simply can’t imagine what his life would be like without this care."
Kelsey Bennett, another family advocate and clinician, echoed the sentiment that fraud has no place in healthcare, but stressed the need for targeted enforcement. "We fully support efforts to identify and hold accountable those who engage in fraudulent billing, improper claims, or substandard care," Bennett said. "Fraud harms taxpayers, undermines trust in the healthcare system, damages the reputation of legitimate providers, and, most importantly, puts vulnerable children at risk."
She cautioned that policies aimed at combating fraud should focus on the perpetrators without creating unnecessary burdens 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 explained. "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."