U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres has raised concerns over proposed cuts to Medicaid-funded autism services, emphasizing the detrimental impact on needy children. A letter to Governor Hochul highlighted $28.6 million in proposed reductions over two years, including drastic cuts to reimbursements for Registered Behavior Technicians. Local families, like Timmia Solano, are alarmed as their children rely on these services for significant progress in addressing autism-related challenges. Solano's son Cory has benefited immensely from ABA therapy, demonstrating the critical importance of maintaining funding for accessible services during National Autism Acceptance Month.
The proposed cuts would reduce reimbursement rates for lower-level behavioral health staffers known as Registered Behavior Technicians from $70 per hour to $38 per hour - the lowest in the country - which Torres said would drive them out of the profession and shut down existing services.
Local families who have children with autism are deeply concerned about the proposed cuts.
He goes there daily from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. for intensive instruction to improve his communication skills.
It's helped him tremendously, said Solano.
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