Read more: Local, Politics, Education, Community, Health, Autism, Legislation, Capitol Watch
JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- Leaders throughout the state capitol promised it would be the first bill out of the gate.
Tuesday, both House and Senate committees heard testimony on legislation to require insurance companies to cover treatment for autism.
Advocates of the insurance coverage mandate for autism argue it's only fair.
"Of the 12 neuro-biological diseases, autism is the only one that is currently excluded,” Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst, (R) St. Louis County said.
The legislation would require insurance companies to pay up to $72,000 a year for a therapy called applied behavioral analysis, a therapy the insurance industry has regarded as experimental.
One insurance company executive proposed a compromise cap at $32,000.
"That conclusion is simply no longer supported by the evidence,” Autism Speaks Lorri Unumb said. “The surgeon general, the National Research Council, the American Academy of Pediatrics have all endorsed the use of ABA therapy to treat the use of kids with autism.”
Experts said ABA during pre-school years can render at least half of all autistic children ready to mainstream in school. Critics of insurance mandates are suspicious of the exploding diagnosis of autism. They also worry about the expectations of parents whose children have other uninsured developmental problems.
"There's a lot of fear involved, fear of being left out because, right now, autism is the shiny new car at the end of the street,” Rep. Steve Hobbs, (R) Mexico said.
Insurance companies said autism coverage will increase premium costs, particularly for small business...
"We have an opt-out clause in the legislation,” Scharnhorst said.
Scharnhorst said any business that experiences a cost increase of five percent or more will be exempt.
"We understand that there's a need,” Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield David Smith said. “We appreciated the need. At the same time, we have to do it in a responsible manner.”
Last year, the senate overwhelmingly passed legislation that would have required group health insurance plans to cover up to $55,000 annually for ABA.
The bill never made it to the floor in the House.
