Defending Access to Care: How MAC Midwest is Advocating for Families

At MAC Midwest, we do more than provide services. We work to protect access to them. This spring, that commitment is taking us beyond the therapy room and into the legislative arena, where important decisions are still being made about the future of autism care in Minnesota.

Joining the Fight for Sustainable, Ethical Care

Earlier this year, Jennifer Diederich, MA, BCaBA, one of our dedicated leaders, was appointed to the executive team of the Autism Treatment Association of Minnesota (ATAM). ATAM is a coalition of providers and professionals working to create a sustainable and ethical service delivery system that centers quality, evidence-based care for individuals with autism and their families.

One of ATAM’s top priorities is protecting the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) benefit. This critical funding stream helps families across Minnesota access autism services, including those offered at MAC Midwest.

The Challenge: Proposed Legislation with Unintended Consequences

Following widespread reports of fraud and maltreatment tied to the Feeding Our Future scandal, EIDBI has become a focus of reform. While the intention of the proposed legislation is to increase oversight and safeguard families, some of the current language could unintentionally reduce access to care for children who rely on these services.

Key concerns include:

• Excessive background check requirements
  Proposed standards go far beyond what is required for childcare, schools, or day treatment programs, despite the fact that providers like MAC Midwest already conduct thorough background checks and fingerprinting.
• Restrictions on out-of-state clinicians
  The bill would require remote-based Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Mental Health Professionals to travel to Minnesota every month. This could create challenges for professionals with health, family, or financial limitations and would likely worsen existing workforce shortages.
• Arbitrary supervision mandates
  New supervision requirements do not align with national standards. If implemented, they could reduce provider capacity and force agencies to cut back services or discharge clients, especially when combined with restrictions on telehealth.

MAC Midwest’s Response: Leading with Integrity

At MAC Midwest, we support strong safeguards against fraud and harm. We also believe in protecting access to the kind of care that works: ethical, compassionate, and individualized care delivered by qualified professionals.

That is why we are taking action. Our team has:

• Participated in Human Services Committee hearings
• Built relationships with legislators
• Offered practical, compassionate insights to shape more balanced and effective policy

Through this advocacy, we met with Senator Jim Abeler, who is the lead sponsor of the EIDBI bill. During that conversation, we shared language that would strengthen accountability while still protecting access to high-quality care.

The Abeler Amendment: A Step Toward Balance

Many of the changes proposed by MAC Midwest and ATAM are now included in the Abeler Amendment. This version of the bill offers a more balanced approach, working to improve oversight while maintaining access to essential services.

While the regular legislative session has ended, the bill has not yet passed. Lawmakers are expected to reconvene in a special session, and the window to make our voices heard is still open.

Why It Matters and How You Can Help

This advocacy is about more than a piece of legislation. It is about the children and families we support every day. It is about the professionals who show up with compassion and skill. And it is about protecting the future of individualized care in Minnesota.

We need your help.

Right now, you can use your voice to support access to care. Our partners at ATAM have joined with Voter Voice to make it quick and easy to contact your legislators.

Here’s how to take action:

1. Visit this link to begin: The Council of Autism Service Providers
2. Enter your contact information so your message reaches the right lawmakers
3. You will receive a ready-to-send message that you can personalize and submit in just a few minutes

If you are already registered, check your inbox for a Voter Voice alert and send your message today. A personal note about why this care matters to you can make a powerful difference.

Every message counts. Every voice matters. Together, we can protect ethical, trauma-informed care for the children and families who rely on it.

At MAC Midwest, we will continue to show up because access to care matters and the people we serve matter most.

We walk with you, celebrate you, and believe in you. Because you belong here, and you matter.