In North Carolina, lawmakers are increasingly scrutinizing Medicaid spending on autism therapies, identifying it as one of the fastest-growing expenditures. The rising costs of autism care have prompted auditors and legislators to examine the implications for the state budget. Concurrently, families in NC are facing a significant child care shortage, with facility closures outpacing new openings. Lawmakers are actively discussing the challenges within the child care system, including the potential for doula coverage, highlighting the interconnected nature of autism therapy and child care issues in the state.