Judge upholds injunction on state’s Medicaid autism funding

U.S. District Court Judge James L. Graham denied yesterday the state’s request to remove a temporary injunction on Medicaid rules changes for funding autism programs. (Source: “Autism-funding order won't budge,” Columbus Dispatch, July 18, 2008).

Graham concluded that the state’s proposed funding rule, which was set to take effect July 1, "may have the effect of denying many children, not just the plaintiff children," access to services.

A group of parents of children who receive care at a center in Worthington sued the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Mental Health to stop the rule change.  State officials contend the changes are necessary to keep the state in compliance with federal Medicaid regulations.

The case is the first of its kind in the nation and may set precendence for what autism treatments may and may not be covered by Medicaid.