The Tulsa World editorial:
The Oklahoma Senate approved last week a measure to mandate coverage. The state House has previously approved a variation of the same legislation. So the measure must return to the House, but our sense is that House Bill 2962 is about to become law.
It’s about time. A similar proposal was considered in a highly emotional debate in 2008 and 2009, but was not approved. That choice has left thousands of insured Oklahoma families to face the extreme financial challenge of autism without any coverage.
Since then, we’ve learned more about the treatment of autism and the cost of that treatment.
While the disorder can be ruinously expensive for families, it’s impact on insurance rates is modest: about 50 cents per month per policyholder, based on other states’ experience.
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We urge the House to accept Senate amendments to HB 2962 and quickly send this important reform to the desk of Gov. Mary Fallin.
