TL;DR
A Brown University study found private equity firms owned 574 autism therapy centers across 42 states as of 2024, with most acquisitions clustered between 2018 and 2022. Researchers warn the rapid influx raises concerns about financial incentives, care intensity and potential impacts on Medicaid, and plan further federally funded study of outcomes.
What happened
Researchers at Brown University's Center for Advancing Health Policy through Research compiled a national tally of private equity ownership in autism therapy, identifying 574 clinics under private equity control across 42 states as of 2024. The team documented 142 acquisition deals, with nearly 80% of purchases occurring in a four-year span centered on 2018–2022. Ownership was concentrated: California (97 centers), Texas (81), Colorado (38), Illinois (36) and Florida (36). Sixteen states had one or no private equity–owned clinics. The study used proprietary databases, press releases and manual review of archived websites to trace ownership changes, noting that private equity deals and private practice sales are not subject to the same disclosure requirements as public companies. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, the analysis was led by health economist Yashaswini Singh and was funded by the National Institute on Aging and the National Institute of Mental Health.
Why it matters
- Private investment is entering a sensitive pediatric care sector that largely serves children on Medicaid, raising fiscal concerns for state programs.
- Financial incentives could change clinical practice patterns, potentially increasing the intensity or duration of services without clear evidence of benefit.
- Rapid, concentrated acquisitions limit public visibility because private deals are not uniformly disclosed, complicating oversight and research.
- Shifts in ownership could affect access and equity in autism services, especially in states with higher diagnosis rates or looser insurance limits.
Key facts
- Researchers identified 574 private equity–owned autism therapy centers in 42 states as of 2024.
- Most acquisitions occurred between 2018 and 2022, across 142 separate deals.
- Top state counts: California 97, Texas 81, Colorado 38, Illinois 36, Florida 36.
- Sixteen states had one or no private equity–owned clinics at the end of 2024.
- States in the top third for childhood autism prevalence were 24% more likely to have private equity–owned clinics.
- Study published in JAMA Pediatrics and led by Yashaswini Singh of Brown’s School of Public Health.
- Data collection relied on proprietary databases, public press releases and manual verification of archived websites.
- Study funding came from the National Institute on Aging (R01AG073286) and the National Institute on Mental Health (R01MH132128).
What to watch next
- Whether the research team secures federal funding to measure effects on therapy intensity, medication use, diagnosis age and treatment duration (team is seeking such funding).
- Potential impacts on state Medicaid spending as ownership shifts — not confirmed in the source.
- Any regulatory or legislative responses at state or federal levels to increased private equity presence in pediatric autism services — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Private equity: Investment firms that acquire private companies or practices, often aiming to restructure them for financial returns.
- Autism therapy centers: Clinics or providers that deliver interventions and support services for people with autism spectrum disorder.
- Medicaid: A U.S. joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income individuals, including many children.
- Therapy intensity: The frequency and duration of therapeutic services delivered to a patient over a given period.
Reader FAQ
How many autism centers did private equity firms acquire?
The study identified 574 private equity–owned autism therapy centers across 42 states as of 2024.
When did most acquisitions happen?
Nearly 80% of the acquisitions occurred in a concentrated four-year period, primarily between 2018 and 2022.
Did the study show that care quality declined after acquisitions?
Not confirmed in the source; the study establishes ownership patterns and notes concerns but does not report measured changes in outcomes.
Which states have the most private equity–owned centers?
California (97) and Texas (81) had the largest counts; Colorado, Illinois and Florida also had notable concentrations.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Private equity firms acquired more than 500 autism therapy centers across the U.S. over the past decade, with nearly 80% of acquisitions occurring over a…
Sources
- Private equity firms acquired more than 500 autism centers in past decade: study
- Autism Therapy Centers Targeted By Private Equity In …
- Autism Therapy Becomes Big Business for Private Equity
- Rapid private equity growth in autism care sparks scrutiny
Related posts
- Study: Overdose Deaths in America Are Falling After a ‘Supply Shock’
- FCC clears SpaceX to deploy 7,500 additional Starlink Gen2 satellites
- UK Directs Ofcom to Assess Compulsory Scanning of Encrypted Messages