American autism care providers are supporting the Trump administration's Medicaid fraud crackdown, arguing that the alleged theft of millions in federal funds has harmed taxpayers and children with autism who depend on those services.

The Autism Families Alliance, a coalition of autism clinicians, behavioral therapists and families of children with autism, is backing efforts to hold people accountable for suspected exploitation of the Medicaid system. However, members also want policymakers to protect access to legitimate care.

The national advocacy organization supports Applied Behavior Analysis providers and the families relying on their services. Its goal is to ensure every child and family can obtain quality care without unnecessary barriers, reduced access or funding cuts.

Taylor Sanders, a family advocate at the Autism Families Alliance, said the work is driven by the progress children and their families can experience through care.

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"We do this work because we believe every child deserves the chance to communicate, gain independence, and live the fullest life possible," Sanders told Fox News Digital. "I’ve worked with children who found their voice after being nonverbal."

Sanders also endorsed the administration's effort to pursue suspected fraud. "President Trump and the administration are right: fraud is unacceptable and those responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Sanders said.

The alliance argues that every dollar allegedly taken by fraudsters should have supported a child with autism learning to communicate, gaining independence and receiving needed care. Its members strongly favor eliminating fraud and prosecuting suspected criminals.

At the same time, the coalition fears that broad federal and state responses could unintentionally make legitimate autism care more difficult to obtain. Georgia, North Carolina and Indiana are among the states that have taken steps to strengthen oversight of autism services.

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"There’s real concern among the families I work with that their children’s care could be interrupted because of the government’s response to these criminals," Sanders said. "Access to these programs aren’t a political talking point to these families, it’s their lifeline."

The coalition wants policymakers to remove fraudsters without putting unnecessary obstacles before families seeking services for vulnerable children. Its position reflects recent comments from Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

"The good news is, our biggest allies are the folks who are doing it right," Oz said during a press briefing earlier this year. The briefing was part of an announcement about a sweeping national initiative targeting billions of dollars in Medicaid and Medicare leakage across various states.

Rocio Berni, the mother of an autistic child named Manny in Charlotte, North Carolina, described the benefits her son has received from ABA providers. She said Manny struggled with tantrums and wanted to be around other children but became frustrated because he could not communicate with them.

"Today, through the work of dedicated therapists, we have learned to better regulate his behavior," Berni told Fox News Digital. "My son is now able to approach other children, and we hope he will be able to carry on basic, fulfilling conversations."

Kelsey Bennett, another family advocate at the Autism Families Alliance, said fraud has "no place" in healthcare and that ABA is "no exception." As a practicing clinician, she said the conduct of a small number of bad actors can overshadow thousands of ethical clinicians serving children with autism and their families.

"We fully support efforts to identify and hold accountable those who engage in fraudulent billing, improper claims, or substandard care," Bennett said. "Fraud harms taxpayers, undermines trust in the healthcare system, damages the reputation of legitimate providers, and, most importantly, puts vulnerable children at risk."

Bennett nevertheless warned that enforcement efforts must be carefully focused. She said policies intended to stop abuse should target those responsible without creating unnecessary barriers for families seeking medically necessary services, including families in rural and underserved areas who may depend on telehealth for supervision and assessments.

The coalition maintains that children with autism should not face the consequences of unethical conduct by a small minority of providers. It wants public resources protected from fraud while preserving timely access to treatment for the children and families the programs were created to serve.