By Cristina Flores (KUTV) Since 2009, Utah families with autistic children have lobbied hard on Capitol Hill, to convince Utah lawmakers to pass an insurance mandate that would require insurance companies to cover autism treatment. Instead, what those families got was the Utah Medicaid Autism Waiver - a pilot program that will enroll 200 families of autistic children.
Mirella Peterson, President of the Utah Autism Coalition said the legislature's solution is "completely inappropriate" on many levels. First, the pilot program will only help 200 families - there are some 18,000 autistic children in Utah she said. Second: Peterson thinks lawmakers will falsely pat themselves on the back for helping autistic parents.
Christine Passey will enroll her 4 year-old daughter Skylynn, who currently requires 800 dollar-per-week therapy. The Passey's can't afford that expense all year long, which breaks Christine's heart because therapy clearly helps her daughter. "To be honest I am not thrilled about having to apply to a government program for help for my daughter but she needs the help," she said. The Passeys have health insurance but as is the case with other families, it does not cover autism treatment. 32 States have an insurance mandate for autism treatment - Utah, which has the highest autism rate (according to the Centers for Disease Control) does not.
The Medicaid Autism Waiver program will enroll children between October 1, 2012 and October 30, 2012. For a list of requirements and other enrollment information go to: http://www.health.utah.gov/autismwaiver/
(Copyright 2012 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
State To Enroll Families In Autism Medicaid Pilot Program
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Autism Lottery Begins In Utah, 250 Kids To Receive Free Treatment