APRIL 15, 2008
Jefferson City
Today, the Health Care Policy Committee in the House of Representatives took up two bills related to autism insurance coverage that have so far gone unnoticed at the Capitol. While these bills may not have been attracting the attention of legislators and lobbyists, until now, it certainly is an issue that attracts a great deal of attention from the community involved: the autism community. And now, it seems that interest is contagious.
The St. Louis Post Dispatch in its front-page headline story on Monday entitled
"Autistic and Uncovered" interviewed Molly Schad, the parent of Harry, a 7-year-old with autism.
In the articles, she talks about the treatments and therapies for autism that are not covered by private health insurers in Missouri. It seems that not only Missourians were interested.
After seeing Harry's story in the headlines, Molly Schad received a phone call from NBC's TODAY show wanting to do an interview and story on autism parents fighting for insurance coverage. The NBC film crew followed Molly during her day at the Capitol, meeting the bill sponsors and testifying in the autism insurance bill hearing.
What a week for Autism in Missouri!
AUTISM INSURANCE BILLS
SB 1122 Mandates insurance coverage for the treatment of autism under certain conditions
SB 1229 Requires certain health carriers to provide insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder under certain conditions
HB 1753 Requires health benefit plans to include coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders
HB 2265 Requires health benefit plans to include coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders
HB 2351 Requires certain health carriers to provide insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder under certain conditions (Similar to SB 1229)
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