Children with autism in New York are at risk of losing access to medically necessary applied behavior analysis (ABA) services.

Governor Hochul’s proposed FY 2026 budget includes:

• A reduction of more than $13 million to the Medicaid ABA benefit.
• A second 12.5% rate cut to one-to-one ABA services (CPT 97153), scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2026.
• A third 25% rate cut to one-to-one ABA services (CPT 97153), scheduled to take effect after April 1, 2026. If implemented, this would result in a total 50% rate reduction—making the 97153 rate the lowest in the country and financially unsustainable for providers.

According to a recent survey by CASP and NYSABA: 

• 74% of ABA providers say they will be unable to remain in the Medicaid network after the 25% cut takes effect on April 1, 2026.
• 94% of ABA providers say they will be unable to remain in the Medicaid network if the full 50% rate cut is implemented.

These proposed rate reductions would decimate the provider network and significantly limit access to care for children with autism across New York.

Please complete this Voter Voice campaign to help protect access to medically necessary ABA services for the children and families who rely on them.