Colorado's Medicaid payments for a therapeutic program for individuals with autism increased by 172% in four years, prompting a federal audit by the Office of the Inspector General. The auditors found $77.8 million in improper Medicaid payments made for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a therapeutic approach that aims to manage symptoms by improving social and communication skills. The audit recommended that the state repay about $42 million of the payments, which represent the federal government's share. The state's Medicaid program is jointly funded by the state and federal government and provides health coverage to low-income residents. This follows concerns about oversight in the program, which now spends roughly $16 billion annually.