One central tenet of public health is to protect and support vulnerable populations or groups who cannot protect themselves, like children and people with mental health or intellectual challenges. Public health experts are needed to conduct research, lobby policymakers and in other ways help ensure that we have effective health policies for these groups.
Last week, the Star Tribune reported on a possible controversy related to government benefits for an intensive therapy autism for children, called Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA.
“One Person Said”
The story gives an example of a mother who was denied Medicaid program coverage for ABA therapy for her two-year old son, with the explanation that ABA was not a covered service.
“Another Person Said”
The reporter found that Minnesota taxpayers have subsidized ABA treatments for middle class and wealthy families.
“The Advocate Said”
This “double standard” is reprehensible, so they sued the state on behalf of the denied two-year old boy.
“Officials Said”
State officials insisted that everyone is entitled to the same benefits.
“Then Officials Said”
At the request of the Star Tribune, state officials reviewed payments and admitted some concern about payment patterns over the past six years. Officials wanted more answers and are troubled by the perception that they are not treating groups fairly.
“Another Expert Said”
According to Medicaid expert at the Center for Autism Research in Philadelphia, there may be a de factor two-tiered system resulting from some of the program’s rules.
The article continues with much more detail about the entire situation. Of course, one report cannot fully capture all of the details. It can highlight potential issues and conflicts and encourage experts with different kinds of training to stay alert and get involved.
Experts and Organizations Referenced in the Report
- A single mother
- Amy Dawson, founder of the Autism Advocacy and Law Center in Minneapolis
- Idil Abdull, autism advocate, Somali American Autism Foundation
- Ann Barry, deputy commissioner of the Department of Human Services
- Maureen O’Connell, assistant commissioner fo the Department of Human Services
- David Mandell, Medicaid expert at the Center for Autism Research in Philadelphia
- Dr. Eric Larsson, one of the pioneers of ABA therapy in Minnesota and founder of the Lovaas Institute Midwest, an autism treatment center in Minneapolis
- Kathryn Marshall, executive director, Minnesota Autism Center
- Gary Cox, supervisor, Department of Human Services
