Insurance Companies Must Cover Autism Treatments

Nearly everyone knows a family that has been affected by autism. Last year, a constituent of mine, Daniel Meyers wrote me about his four-year-old son who had been diagnosed with autism. He expressed his frustrations of being denied coverage for the necessary therapy and his difficulties having to choose between what was best for his child and what he could afford. Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. Thousands of families across the state are running out of options because of the current insurance system. This is why I introduced legislation that would require insurance companies in Michigan to provide coverage for autism-related services. This would give children with autism access to the treatments they need without forcing their parents into a dire financial situation, like bankruptcy.

Senate Bill 177 will help families get the assistance they need by creating an autism research fund funded by an income tax check-off. The money collected would support autism research at hospitals and universities. Senate Bills 359 and 360 will make treatment programs more accessible to parents and their children early in their diagnosis. Among the services covered in this legislation are therapeutic evaluations and interventions, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, intensive early intervention, and applied behavioral analysis and therapy. This legislation also prohibits an insurer from limiting the number of treatment visits a child can have.

This kind of intervention will not only improve a child’s chance to reach their full potential, but could also decrease the long-term treatment costs. Early treatment can mean the difference between a life where these children are able to learn to care for themselves, or a life where they will always rely on others for their care. According to the National Council of State Legislatures, at least 10 states specifically require insurers to cover autism treatments. Another eight states have enacted legislation in the last two years to require insurance companies to offer this coverage. Those states are: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. Missouri is the latest state to consider this legislation with House and Senate committees both recently acting on bills mandating childhood autism coverage.

Autism is neither a Republican nor Democratic issue, but it is one that affects families and children throughout communities across Michigan. It’s baffling to me that in the Michigan State Senate, the Health Policy Committee, where these bills were properly referred last session, has been given a pass on taking up these very worthwhile bills. It would seem that the Chairman of the Health Policy Committee, a Medical Doctor, would best be suited to provide a professional medical opinion on policy that could positively affect children who have been diagnosed with autism. But, instead the bills have been referred to the Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee, where it seems the bills have been sent to “die”. Also, the Republican-led Senate failed to address my bill to establish the Autism Tax Check-off during our last session when I first introduced it, and none of my Republican colleagues signed on as cosponsors when I reintroduced it this year. With support from my friends across the aisle, this legislation would have the chance to move forward and help Michigan families. I urge Senate Republican Leadership to put politics aside and think of the needs of these children and their families.

Autism is not something anyone should have to face alone and this common sense-legislation will give victims the assistance they need that could ultimately save money for health insurers. These families are not looking for a handout. They are willing to pay for insurance to cover autism treatments. It is time for Michigan to join the other states that have passed similar legislation and give these parents access to health insurance that will not only help the family’s financial situation, but also help these children live the best life they can.