Ohio Lawmakers Push Autism Coverage Bill

November 12, 2007

Fully insured health plans would be required to cover diagnosis as well as treatment for autism under an Ohio House bill advocates say would expose autistic children to early treatment that will benefit them the rest of their lives.

The proposal, which has bipartisan sponsors, is modeled after the two-month-old mental health parity law that requires health insurance providers to cover certain psychological conditions. Currently, many health plans cover the diagnosis of autism but not treatment.

“I just feel like taxpayers shouldn’t have to pick up the tab,” said Tamara Heydt, a mother of two autistic children, 9-year-old Gavin and 11-year-old Garrett. “My insurance should have to pay for it. Insurance companies pay for other neurological disorders. I feel like it’s discrimination.” The family spent $60,000 on treatment in one 18-month period. (The Associated Press)