Fact-check · Oct 20, 2026
“For autism services, which was supposed to be a billion dollars, had now gotten to be $400,000,000,000”
FALSE
What the record shows
Minnesota's EIDBI autism program grew from $600,000 (2017) to $400 million (2025). Largest fraud case charged: $46.6 million. No $1B baseline or $400B figure exists.
Speaker stated $400 billion when actual program spending is $400 million. The $1 billion baseline is unsupported by any federal or state autism services budget.
Sources
- Minnesota autism, disabled services providers among 15 charged with Medicaid fraud
- Medicaid fraud at Minnesota autism centers was said to be rampant. Two people have been charged.
- The $10 billion babysitter: How Medicaid turned autism therapy into a free-for-all
- District of Minnesota
- Federal prosecutors charge first person in Minnesota autism fraud investigation • Minnesota Reformer
- District of Minnesota
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