Great News! Great News!

[mrsbert]

Copied from the website AutismVotes.org:

"(Baton Rouge, LA - June 11, 2008) In a key victory for children with autism, on June 11, the Louisiana Senate unanimously passed a measure that would require insurance companies to cover evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies. House Bill 958, the autism insurance reform bill, would cover Applied Behavior Analysis and other treatment costs of up to $36,000 per year with a lifetime cap of $144,000 for children under 17 with autism."

Now, the only thing left is for Gov. Jindal to sign the bill. And he BETTER sign that bill.

 

[LuvsTinker]

Thanks for the update!

I'm hoping Jindal signs it - better to sign that than the other bill for self appointed pay raises

 

[Schmeck]

Be prepared for insurance rates to rise accordingly, of course... Or if it is through state funded insurance, for other parts of the budget to get cut, as in money to the schools, etc. Not saying that this shouldn't be covered, but the money has to come from somewhere, and in this economy, it's going to be through increased rates and budget cuts.

 

[bookwormde]

It is funny, that is what they said when my state passed as mental health/physical health equivalency bill. As it turns out while there was a short-term increase, in the long run it did not cause an increase because so much of the care was preventive in effect. This is exactly what I would expect with enhanced autism services since the base therapies are relatively inexpensive compared to treating the maladaptive manifestations, which occur from not receiving these services is very expensive and long term.

bookwormde

 

[dclfun]

The same thing passed here recently in Florida. What bothered me was the lifetime cap. It won't take long for those needing that kind of costly therapy to "cap out. I'm concerned that for those making progress, once that lifetime cap is reached, there's no more state-paid assistance left. Our entire US medical insurance "issues" are so horrible for anyone let alone for a child or adult with autism who needs specialized care and deserves a chance to get it.---Kathy

 

[bookwormde]

One step at a time. The bean counters are pretty efficient when they figure out it is really saving them money the cap will go away internally.

bookwormde