Recent research has shown that there are significant racial disparities in the way American public insurance programs (Medicaid/Medicare) treat autistic people.
Black autistic children, for example, are much less likely than their White counterparts to receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, 1-on-1 counseling, or case management (to help coordinate services)–even when both groups are reliant on Medicaid.
During the complex transition from childhood to adult Medicaid services, African American youth are much less likely than Whites to receive help from case managers, doctors, and other professionals.
Overall, 52% of all adult autistics using Medicaid have unmet physical or mental health needs. The percentage is even higher for African Americans and Hispanic Americans.
The way autistic people are treated by the American health system is already bad enough. Racial disparities that make things worse for members of minority groups are absolutely unacceptable.
Sources:
Lucy Bilaver, et al., “Understanding Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Autism‑Related Service Use Among Medicaid‑Enrolled Children,” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 51 (2021), 3341-3355.
Teal Benevides, et al., “Racial and ethnic disparities in benefits eligibility and spending among adults on the
autism spectrum: A cohort study using the Medicare Medicaid Linked Enrollees Analytic Data Source,” Plos One (May 25, 2021).
Whitney Schott, et al., “Service Use and Unmet Needs Among Adults with Autism Awaiting Home‑ and Community‑Based Medicaid Services,” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 51 (2021), 1188-1200.
Casey Walsh, et al., “Health Care Transition Planning Among Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 47 (2017), 980-91.