"I'm constantly reminding myself not to limit myself what is possible with her." -Lt. Gov. Brian Calley says of six-year-old daughter Reagan
SAGINAW, MI Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley told a group of about 50, many parents of autistic children, that he knows firsthand how difficult it is to raise a child with autism.
Calley, the father of a six-year-old autistic daughter, Reagan, championed state legislation signed into law in April 2012 that requires insurance companies in Michigan to cover costs associated with diagnosis and treatment of autism.
"I was really honored to be able to personally sign the legislation," he said. "The governor was visiting National Guard troops inAfghanistanwhen the legislation passed and made it to our governor's desk, and my constitutionalprivilegeis to sign legislation in the absence of the governor."
The statewide insurance mandate, which Calley said is the first in Michigan in 20 years, took effect in October 2012.
But the work is far from over, Calley told the group gathered at Mid-Michigan Children's Museum for the monthly Great Lakes Bay Autism Center meeting.
Because treatment of autismwas previouslynot covered by anyhealth insurance plans in the state, he said, there are stillvery few professionals in Michiganequippedto diagnose or treat autistic children.
"It's a funny thing that happens," Calley said. "If you can't get paid for services, nobody goes into that line of work."
At the time the legislation passed, he said, there were only 31 or 32 applied behavioral analysts certified to treat autism. Calley compared that number to theabout 15,000 children and even more adults with autism in Michigan.
"Now we have capacity issues," he said.
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Lt. Gov. Brian Calley talks to Saginaw parents about state autism insurance laws