NCSA Position Statement on Medicaid and Healthcare Access

The National Council on Severe Autism (NCSA) expresses the following positions on Medicaid policy and healthcare access:

  1. NCSA supports comprehensive Medicaid reform that addresses the service gaps, barriers to care, and other impediments to access that limit essential support services for individuals with severe autism and their family caregivers.

  2. NCSA opposes Medicaid block grants, which would disproportionately impact individuals with severe autism who require intensive, lifelong support services.

  3. NCSA opposes all coverage caps—including annual and lifetime restrictions—as individuals with severe autism require consistent, comprehensive care that cannot be arbitrarily limited.

  4. NCSA advocates for the direct care workforce to be preserved, enhanced, and strengthened to achieve substantial cost savings while improving care quality. A stable, well-trained direct care workforce is a fiscally responsible approach that serves multiple vulnerable populations while delivering measurable economic benefits:

    • Reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations through consistent preventive care

    • Lower long-term care costs by enabling home-based services

    • Decreased staff turnover and associated training costs

    • Enhanced tax revenue through formalized employment

    • Reduced family caregiver burden, enabling increased workforce participation

    • Cross-sector workforce development benefiting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and medically complex populations

  5. NCSA advocates for sustainable and meaningful Medicaid reimbursement rates to ensure access to qualified providers serving individuals with severe autism. Current rates limit provider availability, while adequate compensation creates long-term cost savings through reduced emergency service use and stable care networks. We advocate for:

    • Competitive reimbursement rates matching private insurance standards

    • Provider incentives for serving high-acuity populations

    • Efficient administrative processes and billing systems

  6. NCSA opposes any reductions to essential services, medical equipment, or caregiver support programs. These services are fundamental to maintaining health and safety standards for individuals requiring comprehensive, lifetime support.

Discourse around Medicaid is rapidly evolving in our current political moment, so this statement may be revised or expanded as necessary. We are in active communication with our legislative advocacy team, elected officials and other policy makers, and are committed to keeping our community informed and supported.

Adopted by the NCSA Board of Directors March 11, 2025

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