Sun editorial:

Autism should be covered

A bill that would require this change is a high priority among leaders in the Legislature

Friday, Feb. 13, 2009 | 2:08 a.m.

Bipartisan support is being shown in the 2009 Nevada Legislature for a bill that would require health insurance companies to add autism to their policies.

Parents who cannot afford the full cost of care for their children with autism worry, with good reason, that their boys or girls could remain severely disabled throughout their lives.

With proper treatment during childhood, those with autism have a good chance of pursuing careers and living personally rewarding, productive lives. Without extensive speech therapy and other treatment, beyond that provided by schools, there is a risk they will never achieve their full potential and will require lifelong government help.

Autism, whose cause remains unknown, is being diagnosed at an accelerating pace. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the developmental disorder is now affecting one of 150 children nationally.

The rate may be a little higher in Nevada. A chart based on statistics from public schools, published in 2007 by the research group FightingAutism, showed the condition occurring in one of 144 children here — 12th highest in the country.

Las Vegas Sun reporter J. Patrick Coolican wrote for Wednesday’s paper that a state law requiring that autism be covered is a top priority of Democratic leaders in the Assembly and Senate. He wrote that several Republicans in the Assembly are also on board, including Melissa Woodbury of Henderson, who teaches children with autism in the Clark County School District.

The major objection to such laws, which exist in the District of Columbia and 27 states, is that they can increase premiums for businesses. Encouragingly, however, Coolican also reported that Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said insurance company lobbyists have told her they understand the issue is a legislative priority and are willing to assist in the crafting of an eventual law.

That Nevada insurance law does not require coverage for autism is not right. We support the legislative efforts to correct this glaring omission.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

By KDR81

2/13/09 at 9:43 a.m.

Suggest removal

and here I thought you wanted more people to get health insurance coverage...then you go and advocate making it more expensive.
By JanCrandy

2/13/09 at 12:42 p.m.

Suggest removal

I applaud the Las Vegas Sun for supporting this legislation.
By dmeinberg

2/17/09 at 3:24 p.m.

Suggest removal

I fully support, and encourage others to support AB 162- also known as the Autism Insurance Bill. What critics do not understand is that while premiums may go up the alternative is paying more in the long run to educate these children in our schools. Children with autism need intensive therapy that can run into tens of thousands of dollars every year for parents. Research shows that early an intensive intervention in their developing years leads to further inclusion and independence in school thus LOWERING the cost to taxpayers to edcuate these children in the long run.

Passing this bill will make it possible to fund services for these children that is not possible now.

thank you!