Ohio Senate Reviews Autism Coverage Requirement
Published: May 12, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio —Autism treatment advocates may soon lose the ground they gained when the Democrat-controlled Ohio House approved a budget plan that would force insurance companies to cover autism.
The Republican-controlled Senate is concerned about higher costs for health coverage for small businesses. State Sen. John Carey, chairman of the Finance Committee, says he is considering taking the policy out of the budget for further study.
Ty Pine of the Ohio chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business says the autism coverage requirement would add $120 million to small business costs.
Autism treatment advocates say it’s time for private insurance companies to start shouldering their share of the burden instead of leaving costs to the public sector.
Reader Reactions
jennie— just curious ... what about occupational therapists and physical therapists, etc? are those covered under insurance ... I can’t imagine how out of hand these expenses could get for a family and I hope help from insurance companies comes to you soon.
Well if they want to stop the requirement then the senators should be made to pay for the cost of the medicine and the trips to the doctors. I have a child with autism and the cost of just one medication is 1200.00 a month due to the dosage. My health insurance won’t won’t pay for them or her doctor’s visits. KEEP FUNDING AND THE REQUIREMENTS!!!
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