Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Senator Ford Visit Autism Therapy Center To Discuss Protecting Access to Autism Therapy Services
Today, Indiana ACT for Families coalition members met with Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and Senator Jon Ford to discuss the negative implications that a Medicaid reimbursement rate cut would have on access to high quality autism therapy in the Hoosier state. The meeting, which took place at Harsha Autism Center in Terre Haute, was an important opportunity for autism service providers to share more about ABA therapy and the impact it has on so many Hoosier families who rely on these services.
Representatives from Harsha Autism Center and Lighthouse Autism Center also shared concerns surrounding the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning’s (OMPP) evaluation of Medicaid reimbursement rates for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. Members reiterated the importance of ensuring that coverage for these crucial autism therapy services is maintained to protect access to and quality of this care.
Holly Near, Harsha Autism Center Chief Operating Officer, expressed her gratitude for the Lieutenant Governor and Senator’s support.
“We so appreciate the Lieutenant Governor and Senator Ford taking the time to visit our center today to learn more about autism services. The meeting with Lieutenant Governor Crouch and Senator Ford allowed us to have an open conversation about the importance of ABA therapy to so many Hoosier families and to emphasize the need to protect against a Medicaid reimbursement rate cut. It would be devastating to see children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) not get the care and services they need and rely on.”
The Lieutenant Governor also recently met with coalition members at an Advocacy Day at the Statehouse on February 15. Members who attended also spoke with Senators and Representatives from across the state to share their stories and advocate for support on the issue.
Lighthouse Autism Center President Colin Sheridan, who was in attendance at the meeting with Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch also expressed his appreciation for her support.
“I appreciate Lieutenant Governor Crouch and Senator Ford taking the time to meet with us to learn more about how we support individuals with autism and their families. Lighthouse is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care to the families we serve. Today’s meeting was an important opportunity for us to speak directly with Lieutenant Governor Crouch about the need to protect services such as ABA therapy for children with autism. When an opportunity like this comes to stand before our state’s officials to advocate against a rate cut to these services, you must act on the opportunity.”
