The state's practice of paying for intensive autism therapy for some children, but not others, has come under legislative scrutiny.
Autism payments are under scrutiny
An Anoka legislator has called for a review of the state's practice of funding intensive therapy for some children, but not others.
April 8, 2011 at 4:00AM
Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, introduced legislation Wednesday calling on the commissioner of human services to review a policy that critics have called a double standard.
The Star Tribune reported earlier this week that the state Medicaid program has subsidized a costly and intensive autism treatment for some affluent families while denying it to low-income children in its managed-care plans.
The treatment, known as Applied Behavior Analysis, can cost up to $100,000 a year.
"We were told Medicaid doesn't pay [for it]," said Abeler, chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee. "We need to do it equitably, either all or none."
The House voted Thursday to approve health legislation that includes Abeler's amendment, which calls on the state "to extend the same autism treatment benefits" to all children in Medicaid programs.
On Monday, a Ramsey County judge ruled that the state practice was inconsistent.
Maura Lerner • 612-673-7384
