from: Disability Scoop
SYNOPSIS: Private equity firms are rapidly acquiring autism therapy centers across the US. A recent study found over 500 acquisitions in the last decade, primarily between 2018 and 2022. Researchers at Brown University are studying the impact of this trend, as the prevalence of autism diagnoses is increasing.
Yashaswini Singh worries about potential negative impacts on state Medicaid budgets due to potentially increased intensity of care. Daniel Arnold expressed concern about financial incentives potentially leading to children receiving excessive services and worsening disparities in access. States with high autism prevalence and lenient insurance were most attractive to private equity.
Pray that private equity companies will not buy up autism therapy centers merely to inflate their services, or bleed them dry, then sell off the buildings to make a quick profit.