MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama lawmakers gave final approval today to a watered-down version of legislation aimed at getting more insurance coverage for autism treatment.
The House of Representatives voted 96-0 for the bill, sending it to the governor for his signature.
The legislation requires insurance companies to offer coverage for the treatment of autism, including for a costly behavioral therapy that now is rarely covered. Businesses could choose whether to offer the coverage as part of their insurance options for employees.
An original version of the bill would have mandated the coverage, but the sponsor said he did not have the votes to get that passed.
"It's one more step down the road for providing benefits and better opportunities for those on the autism spectrum in Alabama," said sponsor Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster. "Obviously it's not everything we wanted, but it's definitely still moving it forward."
Parents have complained that many of the treatments for autism, particularly an intense and costly behavioral therapy that doctors frequently recommend, are not covered by insurance, leaving them with tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses each year.
Ward said the coverage also could be purchased as a rider.
Ward, whose daughter has autism, said he would not have introduced the bill if he hadn't thought it would significantly help families of autistic children.
"I'm very excited. This is a cause I've taken on for the last six years," Ward said.
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Bill to require insurance to offer coverage of autism treatment passed by Alabama lawmakers