This article offers general information only and is not medical, legal, or financial advice. Life Skills Advocate is not affiliated with any political party. Our mission is to uplift the neurodivergent community to embrace their strengths and self-advocate with confidence. Use this information at your own risk, and please consult a qualified professional (e.g., a developmental pediatrician, clinical psychologist, attorney, etc.) for advice on your specific circumstances.
Current as of July 10, 2025. We’ll revisit and update this article as significant policy changes occur.
Are recent policy changes making you uncertain about pursuing a diagnosis for yourself or a loved one?
New policies have raised concerns about autism and ADHD diagnosis privacy, insurance coverage, and equitable access for people with autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent diagnoses.
While some of these developments are still unfolding, there are concrete facts you can use to make informed decisions.
This article provides a clear, factual overview of current political and policy issues affecting autism, ADHD, and related neurodevelopmental diagnoses. You’ll find insights into what’s happening, why it matters, and how to respond confidently as an individual, family member, or professional.
Understanding Key Healthcare Policies
Medicare
Medicare is a government health-insurance program for adults aged 65 and older. Some younger adults who live with disabilities or serious health conditions can also qualify. Medicare has four parts—A, B, C, and D—each covering a different service, from inpatient hospital stays to prescription drugs.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a state and federal program that helps people with low income pay for health care (p. 3). Unlike Medicare, Medicaid is based on income and is available for people of all ages, including children, young adults, older adults, and people with disabilities. Medicaid covers a wide range of services like doctor visits, hospital stays, nursing home care, and some home-based care. Each state runs its own Medicaid program, so what is exactly covered varies from state to state.
Some individuals qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, also called dual eligibility (p. 4).
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of people’s medical information. It requires that healthcare providers, insurance companies, and other related businesses keep all personal health information (PHI) private. Under this law, your information can only be shared for treatment, billing, or other approved healthcare operations. In most cases, your written permission is needed for your health details to be shared. However, certain exceptions apply, such as during a public health emergency or for a court case. More information on the twelve national priority purposes for sharing health information can be found here.
Recent Policy Developments
Below are summaries of some recent developments that are important to consider for this topic.
Autism Research Initiatives
On February 13, 2025, an executive order titled “Establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission” was issued to investigate the growing prevalence of chronic diseases in the United States. This commission will examine contributing environmental factors such as toxins, medications, and other potential influences on public health. Autism and ADHD are explicitly named in the order as two of the health conditions on the rise.
Potential Changes to Federal Matching
Medicaid is a joint program between the states and the federal government that helps cover healthcare costs for individuals with disabilities, children, and low-income families. Each state runs its own Medicaid program but receives federal funding through a system called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP). The FMAP is the amount paid by the federal government to reimburse the states. This amount can vary from state to state, as states with lower average incomes typically receive a higher percentage of federal support.
On February 25, 2025, the House of Representatives approved a budget plan that aims to reduce how much money the government spends by at least $880 billion between 2025 and 2034. Early reports suggested that a lot of this money could be saved by making changes to Medicaid funding. While exact policy changes have not yet been confirmed, one option being considered is altering how much the federal government contributes to Medicaid in each state. If adopted, these changes could affect the availability and affordability of services, including developmental evaluations and long-term support for neurodivergent individuals.
Common Concerns
The following concerns have been raised by members of the neurodivergent community in response to recent policy developments:
Access to Services
Proposed budget cuts to Medicaid could limit access to evaluations, therapies, and services. These limited resources would disproportionately impact people experiencing financial barriers or living with disabilities. Reduced access to support could lead to increased daily challenges and family stress.
Diagnosis Privacy: Protecting Autism and ADHD Records
There is growing concern about how medical information, including autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent diagnoses, might be collected, stored, or shared under new health-data systems. Individuals and families worry that without clear protections and transparency, sensitive information could be used in ways that were not originally intended, including potential discrimination or stigma.
Representation and Public Understanding
Some community members are concerned that public discussions and research about autism may focus too heavily on reducing or preventing traits, rather than supporting and affirming autistic individuals. When autism is primarily framed as a burden or deficit, it can contribute to misinformation and overlook the value of neurodiversity. It’s important to include autistic voices in policy decisions as well as promote acceptance alongside support.
Next Steps: Making Informed Choices About Diagnosis Privacy
At this time, there is no clear answer on the potential long-term privacy or policy implications of seeking a medical diagnosis for ADHD or Autism. The primary concern expressed by some individuals and families is that medical diagnoses, particularly when documented in a health record, could potentially be accessed, reviewed, or used in ways not originally intended, especially if stored in state or national databases. While healthcare information is currently protected under laws such as HIPAA, future changes in policy or data-sharing practices could raise questions about long-term confidentiality.
That being said, it’s important to weigh these concerns against the very real risks of not pursuing a diagnosis. Delaying or avoiding a formal diagnosis for privacy reasons might delay helpful interventions, educational support, therapies, or insurance coverage. For many children and adults with Autism and ADHD, a diagnosis may be the first step to receiving help necessary to succeed academically, socially, or emotionally.
Overall, it’s best to stay informed by reviewing your state’s eligibility rules, keeping up with legislative developments, and exploring advocacy options as we navigate this period of uncertainty.
Managing Anxiety About Policy Changes
With so many unknowns and speculation, it’s common to feel frustrated, worried, and overwhelmed by what these new policies and procedures might mean for the future.
Whether you are an adult with a long-standing autism diagnosis or a parent seeking a diagnosis for your child, the current policy landscape may raise concerns about safety, privacy, and long-term implications of having that diagnosis documented.
Protect Your Mental Health
One way to support your emotional well-being is by being intentional about how you engage with the news. This doesn’t mean just ignoring current events; it means intentionally choosing when, how often, and from which sources you get your information. According to the American Psychological Association, frequently seeking out news about stressful topics can increase feelings of anxiety. News outlets often focus on dramatic or negative stories, which can increase anxiety. This is especially true during “doom scrolling”, which is a habit where people continuously scroll through upsetting news or social media posts, which can leave them feeling drained and helpless.
Instead, consider creating daily habits that support your mental health. Take breaks from social media, schedule check-ins with people you trust, and do activities that make you feel grounded or calm.
Avoiding Learned Helplessness
Another emotional risk during times of uncertainty is something called learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is when a person repeatedly experiences failure or negative outcomes and begins to believe they have no control over their situation, even when opportunities for success are present. Over time, they stop trying because they expect failure, regardless of what they do. For example, a student who struggles in school may stop asking for help because they believe it won’t matter.
Right now, some individuals and families may feel this way about seeking a diagnosis or accessing care; they worry it won’t help or could cause harm. While those fears are understandable, taking small steps, like talking with a trusted provider or support group, can help you feel less stuck or isolated.
Additional Resources
Create News Consumption Boundaries
If you are feeling overwhelmed by current events, it may be helpful to create boundaries around when and how you consume the news. Check out this resource for more information on how to implement dietary media restrictions, which is a plan to limit media intake in a way that supports your mental health. This can even be used by educators and other professionals as a lesson plan for students!
Workbook for Coping with Bad News
Many young children and students can feel overwhelmed or anxious about what they hear in the news. Often, they unintentionally overhear dramatic headlines or see upsetting images without the tools to fully understand or process what they’ve seen or heard. This workbook by Dawn Huebner, PhD, is an excellent resource for parents, educators, and professionals. It offers clear, age-appropriate guidance for helping younger learners cope with scary or unpredictable current events.
TL;DR – (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Recent policy changes have raised concerns about autism and ADHD diagnoses, access to care, and privacy protections. A new federal commission is investigating the rise in chronic conditions, including neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism, while proposed budget changes could reduce Medicaid funding. This could potentially limit access to evaluations and services for low-income and disabled individuals.
Many in the neurodivergent community are worried about how sensitive health information might be stored or shared in the future, and whether medical records could eventually be used in unintended ways. At the same time, delaying or avoiding a diagnosis may mean missing out on critical supports, like therapy, school accommodations, and insurance coverage.
In short: There are no easy answers, but there are meaningful steps you can take. Stay engaged, seek out accurate information, and make thoughtful decisions that prioritize both support and privacy.
Further Reading
- American Psychological Association (2022) – Media overload is hurting our mental health. Here are ways to manage headline stress
- Center for Disease Control (2024) – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
- Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (2023) – What are Medicare & Medicaid?
- Congress.gov (2025) – Medicaid’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)
- Congress.gov (2025) – H.Con.Res.14 – Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2025 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026 through 2034.
- Dawn Huebner (2019) – Something Bad Happened: A Kid’s Guide to Learning About Events in the News
- Harvard Library (2025) – News Media Across the Political Spectrum
- National Library of Medicine (2016) – Learned Helplessness
- The New York Times (2017) – Improving Your ‘News Diet’: A Three-Step Lesson Plan for Teenagers and Teachers
- The White House (2025) – Establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2025) – Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule