Texas health agency proposes eliminating children's autism program
Summary
Texas health officials want to cut funding for the Children's Autism Program (CAP), a state program that helps autistic children get therapy for free or at low cost. The program currently serves hundreds of children but faces budget cuts as the state implements spending reductions.Key Facts
- The Children's Autism Program (CAP) started in 2008 and gives autistic children access to therapy called applied behavior analysis (ABA).
- ABA therapy is considered a standard treatment and can provide up to 720 hours of therapy per child over their lifetime.
- Texas spent $13.7 million on the program in the past two years and recently expanded eligibility up to age 21.
- The program helps families pay nothing or less for services based on income and insurance.
- In 2026, CAP funded treatment for 583 children, but over 1,000 children remain on waiting lists.
- Texas officials want to eliminate CAP to meet a required 3% budget cut.
- Medicaid now covers ABA therapy for people 20 and younger, but not all children have access to providers through Medicaid.
- If the program is cut, services would continue only through August 2027.
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