American autism care providers are supporting the Trump administration’s efforts to tackle Medicaid fraud. They argue that the alleged misappropriation of millions in federal funds has negatively impacted both taxpayers and children with autism who depend on these services.
A coalition composed of autism clinicians, behavioral therapists, and families of children with autism is advocating for the administration’s initiative to hold individuals accountable for the suspected misuse of the Medicaid system.
This group, known as the Autism Families Alliance, identifies itself as a national advocacy organization focused on supporting Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) providers and the families who depend on their services.
Their goal is to ensure that every child and family has access to high-quality care without facing unnecessary barriers, reduced access, or funding cuts.
“We do this work because we believe every child deserves the chance to communicate, gain independence, and live the fullest life possible,” Taylor Sanders, a family advocate at the Autism Families Alliance, told Fox News Digital. “I’ve worked with children who found their voice after being nonverbal. I’ve watched families go from fear and uncertainty to hope because their child was finally making progress. Those are the moments that keep us going. That’s why we’re here.”
“President Trump and the administration are right: fraud is unacceptable and those responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Sanders added.
The group contends that every dollar allegedly stolen by fraudsters should have been directed to helping children with autism learn to communicate, gain independence, and receive necessary care.
While they strongly support efforts to eliminate fraud and prosecute suspected criminals, they are also concerned that broad federal and state initiatives to combat fraud could inadvertently hinder legitimate providers from caring for children with autism.
States such as Georgia, North Carolina, and Indiana have already taken steps to increase oversight of autism services.
The coalition urges policymakers to ensure that fraudsters are removed from the system without creating unnecessary barriers for families of vulnerable children seeking care.
“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 said. “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. As some states move to crack down on fraud, we have to make sure we’re targeting fraudsters, not putting new barriers in front of families trying to get their children the care they need.”
The coalition’s position on the administration’s fraud crackdown mirrors remarks made by Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
“The good news is, our biggest allies are the folks who are doing it right,” Oz said at a press conference earlier this year while announcing a comprehensive national anti-fraud initiative addressing multi-billion dollar Medicaid and Medicare losses across various states.
“They are the people who are doing hospice right, home healthcare right, who are doing all the things that we need for autism in this country. 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,” he said at the time.
Rocio Berni, the mother of an autistic child, Manny, in Charlotte, North Carolina, shared her experiences with ABA providers.
“Working alongside ABA therapy providers has been immensely beneficial for my son,” she told Fox News Digital. “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,” she continued. “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. I pray that policymakers will ensure that Manny and children like him maintain access to this essential care.”
Kelsey Bennett, another family advocate at the Autism Families Alliance, stated that fraud has “no place” in healthcare, and ABA is “no exception.”
“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,” she told Fox News Digital.
Bennett expressed support for holding fraudsters accountable but emphasized that efforts must be carefully directed.
“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.”
“At the same time, efforts to combat fraud must be carefully targeted,” she continued. “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. Families should not have to worry that broad policy changes or administrative burdens will interrupt the treatment their children rely on.”
“The overwhelming majority of ABA providers are committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care with integrity,” she added. “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.”
