Bill mandating insurance coverage of autism emerges in Kansas Legislature

Posted: Published on March 13th, 2014

This post was added by Dr Simmons

TOPEKA, KS (KCTV) -

Kansas lawmakers will hear from opponents Wednesday of a bill that mandates insurance coverage for children with autism.

Autism advocates have fought for a proposal like this for years, but even they aren't supporting it 100 percent in its current form. They say it could make matters worse by hurting more children than it helps.

Michael Wasmer, associate director of state government affairs for the advocacy group Autism Speaks, fights to get insurance coverage for life-changing treatment.

"A year without treatment could be the difference between the child going on and being a productive, tax-paying citizen and being dependent on a lifetime of adult disability supports," Wasmer said.

Prescribed treatment for autism is known as applied behavior analysis (ABA). It can cost families up to $60,000 a year out of pocket.

A Kansas house bill would require private insurance coverage for autism, but it's not pleasing everyone.

"We do not support the bill as written," Wasmer said.

Rep. John Rubin, of Shawnee, wrote the bill with insurance companies. It would extend coverage to 250 children next year and would cover 10 hours of ABA each week. Advocates want 40 hours.

"It is no different than a parent of any child with any condition. We're not going to be happy if your child is prescribed a certain dose of antibiotic, and they only get half of it. We're not going to be happy if your child breaks his arm, but they only partly fix it," Wasmer said.

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Bill mandating insurance coverage of autism emerges in Kansas Legislature

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