LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee held a legislative study hearing on Friday, to examine the state’s applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services and why the cost for them has skyrocketed in recent years.

ABA services are therapies often used to help children with autism or other developmental challenges improve social interactions, learn new skills and gain independence, according to Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

At the hearing, DHHS officials Nebraska’s Medicaid payments for ABA services have risen nearly 2,000% from 2020 to 2024, increasing from $4.6 million to more than $85 million, one of the highest growth rates in the country.

“That’s the most rapid increase of any specific specialty or service tha

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