Nebraska parents leave ABA hearing frustrated after being unable to testify

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Families, advocates and lawmakers on Friday debated access to applied behavioral analysis therapy.

The treatment helps children on the autism spectrum develop communication, social and behavioral skills.

Nebraska Medicaid is lowering its reimbursement rate for the therapy, saying it’s trying to lower skyrocketing costs.

The cuts have some senators, like Sen. Brian Hardin, concerned.

“In the world of Medicaid, is there anything that stands out bigger than this?” Hardin asked. “Are we going to be having another one of these hearings on another topic real soon?”

He also shared that he is raising his own child on the autism spectrum.

“It definitely made it easier to be listening because then you understand that someone up there has an idea into our world,” said Chris Szydelko, whose 6-year-old son has autism.

SEE ALSO: ‘Hurting us in the long run’: Nebraska dad of boy with autism criticizes Medicaid rate cuts

But the pleas from families weren’t heard; many attended the hearing only to find out they weren’t allowed to testify.

One parent managed to talk to Hardin face-to-face.

Szydelko told Channel 8 what he would say if he had the chance to testify:

“I’ve been telling you for years what the problems have been — how there’s been counts of fraud and everything else — and they look the other way.” he said. “You could’ve had this solved a long time ago, and you chose to look the other way because you didn’t care. ”

Nebraska Medicaid Director Drew Gonshorowski said he came to the hearing to reassure parents once again.

“I just want to reassure families that Nebraska Medicaid is not cutting ABA services from the Medicaid program,” he said.

Szydelko said out-of-state ABA providers are charging too much, so that’s why families need help from Medicaid.

“They don’t have the same care and background as far as providing for these kids,” he said. “All they see is the dollar sign, so they flock to that.”