Arizona Parents Unite Against Medicaid Cuts Impacting Autism Therapy Access

Parents Rally at Arizona Capitol Over Autism Therapy Access Concerns On a notable day at the Arizona Capitol, numerous parents convened to express their concerns about recent contract terminations that could severely limit access to essential autism therapies for their children. The affected contracts are between the state’s Medicaid program and key providers of applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, a crucial service for children diagnosed with autism. ABA therapy is recognized as a vital resource for many families navigating autism, aimed at enhancing communication and cognitive skills in children. "What does ABA mean to our families? In the autism world, it means hope, security, stability and a bright future for our kids. We see the progress firsthand,” stated Renee Bradley, a parent involved in the rally. The protests arose following decisions by Medicaid providers, including Mercy Care, Arizona Complete Health, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, to discontinue partnerships with Centria Autism and Action Behavior Centers, both specialized providers of ABA services. A lawsuit, initiated last year, warns that these cancellations may endanger therapy access for approximately 1,000 children, risking interruptions in their developmental milestones. Parent Kim Powell highlighted the profound effects of ABA therapy on her child, sharing, "Today at 4 years old, he talks more than we ever dreamed possible – hearing his voice, hearing him ask questions, expressing his needs and quizzing us on math problems." Her statement underscores the therapeutic value many families attribute to these services. Financial Overview and Rising Costs of ABA Therapy Amidst these concerns, Governor Katie Hobbs recently proposed an expansive budget amendment, suggesting an additional $300 million for Arizona's AHCCCS division, which provides support to residents with disabilities. This funding proposal reflects a broader national trend, as there has been a noteworthy rise in autism diagnoses since 2006. According to KJZZ, the costs associated with providing ABA therapy have also surged, with AHCCCS expenditures on these services ascending to $371 million in 2025 from $260 million the previous year. Mercy Care has previously terminated its contract with Centria over disagreements on reimbursement rates, which Centria contended were not sustainable. While Mercy Care emphasized fiscal prudence as the rationale for their decisions, they reassure families that ABA services will remain covered through their network of over 70 providers. They stated, “ABA services have been getting nationwide attention in recent years. ABA is an AHCCCS covered benefit, and there have been no changes to Mercy Care’s coverage of medically necessary ABA services.” Despite these reassurances from Mercy Care, families are expressing ongoing concerns regarding communication. Parent Tiana Brandon voiced her frustrations, stating, “I’ve not been contacted by AHCCCS or Mercy Care this entire time via e-mail, via phone call, via mail correspondence.” The lawsuit acknowledges that Mercy Care and the relevant state agencies are attempting to assist Centria’s clients by transitioning them to alternative providers. However, it cautions that this effort is complicated by a notable shortage of ABA providers in Arizona.