Texas health agency proposes eliminating children's autism program

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has proposed the total elimination of funding for the Children’s Autism Program (CAP) in its budget request for the 2028-2029 biennium. The proposal is driven by state budget cuts.

Established in 2008, CAP provides applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to autistic children at reduced costs based on family income and insurance coverage. The program contracts with 16 providers across Texas and offers up to 720 hours of therapy per child over their lifetime.

While the state spent $13.7 million on the program over the last two years and recently expanded eligibility to individuals up to 21 years old, advocates and parents have expressed shock at the proposal. In fiscal year 2026, the program funded treatment for 583 children, though contractors report at least 1,000 children remain on waitlists statewide.