Autism Speaks is going on the offense as one state considers taking away a requirement that health insurers cover autism treatment.
A bill under consideration in Arizona would strip all of the state’s 32 health insurance requirements, including one mandating autism coverage.
In response, Autism Speaks is saturating the Phoenix, Ariz. television market with commercials this week urging residents to call on the state’s Gov. Jan Brewer to veto the bill.
“If this legislation becomes law, many families will face impossible decisions — from taking out second and third mortgages to emptying siblings’ college funds — to provide their children with treatments,” said Peter Bell, executive vice president at Autism Speaks, which has heavily lobbied for autism insurance mandates.
Supporters of the legislation, however, told local media that lifting requirements does not mean that insurers will scale back coverage. Moreover, they say it will increase competition and help lower costs.
Currently, under legislation that went into effect in 2008, Arizona requires health insurers to provide up to $50,000 worth of applied behavior analysis for children with autism up to age 9 and $25,000 per year in therapy for older kids.
I wish we could find a way to break free from the government’s control. I am so sick of them doing this and making families so upset. Businesses – you have got to step up. Figure this out! Please!
This is maddening! When have the insurance companies ever done what’s right? Of course they are going to scale back or eliminate coverage for Autism if it’s not mandated. As a single, healthy 28 year old female with a great full time career, I could barely afford decent health insurance and even that just covered the basics (annual exam, etc.). I can’t imagine the rates for a family with a child who needs any kind of additional therapy.
Autism treatment is a necessity for those who have it. I know many adult autistics act like nursery school kids but they eventully mature and have a lot to offer if properly educated. Repealing such insurance stipulations would be a travesty. But since the government did away with proper dental coverage and wants to pull everybodys teeth out instead of filling them properly, why not repeal the insurance stipulation. We can become a country of backwoodsmen with nursery school mentalities instead of productive citizens with teeth