Public Meeting Notice  Subcommittee: Healthcare

1. Introduction by Chairs Kate Ginnis and Amy Weinstock
2. Review of 2019 recommendations; general discussion of new/changed priorities vis-à-vis COVID; (2019 Recommendations Attached)
3. Establish new priorities including focus on disparities in healthcare for people with ASD
4. Other Business

2019 Recommendations

Extend Mass Health coverage of medically necessary treatments for persons over the age of 21 who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist, said coverage shall include but not limited to, applied behavior analysis supervised by a licensed applied behavior analyst. 

(MassHealth reports that the number of members 18-20 years of age who received ABA during FY17 is 45.  MassHealth estimates the cost to expand ABA for individuals 21-26 years of age to range from $483,358 on the lower bound up to $4,189,105 on the upper bound.)

Update – This remains a priority recommendation of the Subcommittee. Several pieces of legislation have been filed relating to coverage.

 9.   Expand training on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and appropriate strategies for assisting individuals with ASD for health care providers focusing on considerations of culture, race, linguistics, gender identity and socio-economic status, including hospital emergency room personnel and residents.

Update – This remains a priority recommendation of the Subcommittee. A few hospitals have developed training programs and personnel that are promising models.

10.   Expand Mental Health emergency and treatment services focusing on considerations of culture, race, linguistics, gender identity and socio-economic status to specifically address the needs of children and adults on the spectrum. 

Update – This remains a priority recommendation of the Subcommittee. The Children’s Mental Health Campaign has been working on a  project to identify a model or models of urgent behavioral health care for the entire population to address this need. The Subcommittee has worked with the Campaign both collectively and as individual members, to incorporate the specific needs of people with ASD and their families into this model.