Kim Dodson, CEO
The Arc of Indiana is a nonprofit organization that advocates on issues important to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We represent the people currently utilizing Medicaid and Medicaid Waiver services, as well as those who are waiting for these services.
The recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reporting on past abusive billing practices in autism therapy services and the impact these practices are now having on the services and supports thousands of Hoosiers rely on is deeply troubling. (WSJ – The Boom in Autism Therapy is Medicaid’s Fastest-Growing Jackpot – March 10, 2026).
While the vast majority of providers are dedicated to delivering quality services to people in their local communities, providers who exploit Medicaid must be held accountable. It is unacceptable for anyone to take advantage of programs designed to serve people with disabilities and families with limited resources. Doing so undermines the integrity of Medicaid and diverts critical resources from those who truly need support.
In Indiana and across the country, certain bad actors have taken advantage of weak oversight and flawed reimbursement structures to generate extraordinary payments through excessive or inappropriate billing practices. This type of conduct is completely unacceptable and contributes directly to the fiscal strain now facing Medicaid programs.
We applaud Governor Braun’s 2025 Executive Order that brought stakeholders in the autism community together to develop recommendations to bring Indiana’s Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) spending into alignment. These recommendations set the stage for greater provider accountability and more predictable spending.
Unfortunately, the consequences of abuse within the Medicaid system are being felt by families and people with disabilities. Indiana now has a waiting list of nearly 20,000 people for home and community-based services, while policymakers are trying to address unsustainable growth in some program costs.
The Arc of Indiana believes the solution is not broad cuts that harm individuals with disabilities or responsible providers. Policymakers should focus on stronger oversight, holding those who abuse the system accountable, and removing them from Medicaid. Targeted reforms must protect the program’s integrity while preserving access to essential services.
The vast majority of providers serve people with disabilities with dedication and integrity. Efforts to address Medicaid spending must focus on stopping fraud and abuse, not creating unintended harm for individuals, families, and responsible providers.