The state is struck down again

The state of Ohio has been attempting to change the way autism services are paid for by Medicaid. Participation by states in the Medicaid system is voluntary, but once you join in, you have to follow the federal guidelines. Gov. Strickland seems to think that with the way payments are done with Step by Step, which is the only 1 on 1 ABA service in central Ohio for children with autism, does not comply with the federal guidelines. However, each arguement he and the ODJFS/MMRD consortium come up with, makes the case for SBSA stronger.

On July 1st, a federal judge placed a restraining order against the rule change that the state was to go into effect that day that was proposed by ODJFS and MRDD. This would have effectively cut funding to SBSA, and threatened several other centers. Those children affected would have to go back on waiting lists, and any progress they made would slowly erode away.

Needless to say, the state asked the judege to recind his ruling. That judge yesterday said that his ruling stands, and the state will now go to appeal. Judge Grahm said when refusing to recind the restraining order said that changes the state proposed "may have the effect of denying many children, not just the plaintiff children," access to needed services. (Source: Columbus Dispatch website). He also stated at the July 1st ruling that the plantiffs (SBSA, and other parents of children with Autism.) have a very good case against the state.

I'm sure Gov. Strickland is upset that he's been beaten back again. His continued assualt on services in this state that help children should not be tolerated by the citizens that he serves. While I do understand that we are in a budget crunch, some of our more vunernable citizens need to be protected. Helping many of these children to learn skills and contribute to society in the future is something that we can't look at from an accountants glasses. Right now, 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with some form of an autism sprectrum disorder. That number will only go up. We must act now to help them mainstream into society.