The Politics of Autism includes an extensive discussion of insurance legislation in the states.
For Shannon Schmidt and her husband, providing for their kids has been no easy task.
The Schmidts have three children and a fourth on the way. Their five-year-old son Caleb is one of their many blessings. He's also part of the one in every 68 children who find themselves on the autism spectrum.
But North Dakota is one of only five states that does not have full insurance coverage for what's known as 'applied behavior analysis' or ABA, which helps children with autism learn how to perform everyday functions.
Schmidt said without insurance coverage, parents of children of with autism are forced to make tough decisions.
“You're given your diagnosis, and then you're given two options: either you make huge changes in your personal life to try to afford any type of treatment out-of-pocket or you leave the state,” she said.
House Bill 1434 would implement this insurance in the state. Detractors argue it would costs the state far too much, but supporters say projections are based off of numbers from other states years ago, and they don't translate to North Dakota in 2017.At KFGO-AM, Jack Sunday & Amy Iler interview bill sponsor Thomas Beadle.
