A bill from state Representative Pauline Wendzel to help ensure Medicaid ABA services for autistic children are not interrupted each year has been approved unanimously in the Michigan Senate and now heads to the governor. Wendzel tells WSJM News under the current rules, for an autistic child to get ABA services, they have to be re-evaluated every year. That creates a host of problems. Wendzel’s heard from affected families.
“So many parents,” Wendzel said. “We had very moving testimony in Lansing from a parent who actually works in the autism community. She even knew the system and said it was still difficult for her to get this. It’s something that’s desperately needed, and it just doesn’t make a lot of sense. 49 other states aren’t doing this, private insurance doesn’t require this.”
Under Wendzel’s bill, the re-evaluation procedure is eliminated if a qualified licensed practitioner completed the initial evaluation or unless it is deemed medically necessary. It passed the Senate unanimously, and Wendzel says she’s gotten word the governor will sign it.
