Health Premiums, Policy, and the Neurodivergent Community

This episode of Living with Invisible Learning Challenges explores how rising health insurance premiums and government policy decisions affect everyone, while hitting neurodivergent individuals especially hard. Because many neurodivergent people rely on ongoing, specialized care, even small increases in premiums, deductibles, or cost-sharing can limit access to therapy, diagnoses, and mental health services. Drawing on research from KFF and the Center for American Progress, the episode highlights gaps in mental health parity, threats to Medicaid, and how policy choices directly shape who can afford essential care—underscoring the need for advocacy, informed decision-making, and community support.⁠https://linktr.ee/JenniferPTTS?utm_source=linktree_profile_share⁠Articles & Research Referenced (Links):Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) – Effects of premiums and cost sharing on low-income populations:https://www.kff.org/report-section/the-effects-of-premiums-and-cost-sharing-on-low-income-populations-updated-review-of-research-findings-table-3/KFF / STAT – Health insurance premiums continue to rise:https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/22/health-insurance-premiums-up-6-percent-kff-reports/Center for American Progress – The Behavioral Health Care Affordability Problem:https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-behavioral-health-care-affordability-problem/Commonwealth Fund – Behavioral health parity challenges:https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2026/behavioral-health-parity-takes-step-backward-under-trump-administrationAmerican Bar Association – Weakening Medicaid and health equity:https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/resources/human-rights/2025-october/weakening-medicaid-erodes-progress/Reuters / KFF Poll – Public support for extending ACA tax credits:https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/most-americans-back-extending-aca-tax-credits-kff-poll-shows-2025-10-03/