The Kansas City Star reports on hearings in the Missouri Legislature:
“There is a huge autism tsunami that is about to hit the state of Missouri,” said Lorri Unumb, a senior policy analyst for Autism Speaks, a national advocacy group. “It is going to cost an extraordinary amount of money in special education and adult care if the current generation of kids does not get the treatment they need.”
Officials representing insurance companies said the extent of coverage that would be required under the bills would drive premiums upward and force small businesses to give up coverage for employees.
“Small businesses are dropping insurance at an alarming rate,” said William Shoehigh, a lobbyist for the insurer UnitedHealthcare. “They’re very cost-sensitive.”
- HB 1311: Requires health carriers issuing or renewing a health benefit plan to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders;
- HB 1341: Requires certain health benefit plans to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders provided in the state to individuals who are younger than 18 years of age; and
- SB 618: Requires health carriers to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders under certain conditions
