House supports autism coverage
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Overcoming reluctance for another health-care mandate, state Rep. Franklin Foil pumped his fist triumphantly Thursday after his colleagues supported a measure that would require insurance coverage for treating autism in children.
Foil asked legislators to look at the potential benefits House Bill 958 could offer over its significant costs.
House members applauded as they passed, 98-0, the bill he sponsored. Foil’s legislation goes to the state Senate.
Prior to the debate, Foil expressed concern because of previous close votes when the House of Representatives considered other measures that require employers to provide insurance for particular medical needs.
“There is no cure,” said Foil, R-Baton Rouge and father to an autistic child. “But there is treatment. And it’s good treatment. But it’s expensive.”
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships.
It is often accompanied by extreme behavioral changes.
A few representatives questioned if providing treatments for autism was not already covered in state law.
Others pointed to the millions of dollars the measure is expected to cost the state and private insurers that would have to provide coverage.
Still, Foil and other proponents asked legislators to band together for HB958.
“Let’s hit it early,” Foil said. “Let’s get out front.”
Rep. Patrick Williams, D-Shreveport, said several parents of autistic children came and talked to him during a trek he made from his hometown to the State Capitol just before the regular session started in an effort to raise awareness for autism and childhood obesity.
“They just needed the help. That’s all they’re asking for,” Williams said. “They would do anything in their power to help these kids.”
HB958 would require health insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in children under age 17. The benefits could not exceed $36,000 per year and $144,000 per lifetime.
Employers with less than 50 employees would not have to provide coverage.
Foil said he doesn’t believe treating autism is currently required under state law, otherwise there would be no cost associated with the bill.
He said the only statute he could find in current state law that includes autism refers to treatments for mental illness.
“Autism is not mental illness,” Foil said. “It’s a neurological disorder.”
In a prior House committee hearing on the bill, supporters said that the mandate, if it becomes law, would increase monthly health insurance premiums about $1.59 on individual polices and about $4.40 on family policies.
Foil said Thursday that a 2006 Harvard study showed it can cost about $3.2 million to care for an autistic person over his or her lifetime.
“Three point two million is the cost to society if it’s not addressed,” Foil said.
Rep. Noble Ellington, D-Winnsboro, said that six years ago, one in 10,000 children were born with autism. Now, one in 150 children are born with autism.
“That’s what I call an epidemic,” Ellington said.
“Three dollars more a month on our insurance? So be it,” Ellington said. “There are children out there who can live a normal life if we together step up to the plate and say, yes, we can do our part.”
Foil asked legislators to look at the potential benefits House Bill 958 could offer over its significant costs.
House members applauded as they passed, 98-0, the bill he sponsored. Foil’s legislation goes to the state Senate.
Prior to the debate, Foil expressed concern because of previous close votes when the House of Representatives considered other measures that require employers to provide insurance for particular medical needs.
“There is no cure,” said Foil, R-Baton Rouge and father to an autistic child. “But there is treatment. And it’s good treatment. But it’s expensive.”
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships.
It is often accompanied by extreme behavioral changes.
A few representatives questioned if providing treatments for autism was not already covered in state law.
Others pointed to the millions of dollars the measure is expected to cost the state and private insurers that would have to provide coverage.
Still, Foil and other proponents asked legislators to band together for HB958.
“Let’s hit it early,” Foil said. “Let’s get out front.”
Rep. Patrick Williams, D-Shreveport, said several parents of autistic children came and talked to him during a trek he made from his hometown to the State Capitol just before the regular session started in an effort to raise awareness for autism and childhood obesity.
“They just needed the help. That’s all they’re asking for,” Williams said. “They would do anything in their power to help these kids.”
HB958 would require health insurance coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in children under age 17. The benefits could not exceed $36,000 per year and $144,000 per lifetime.
Employers with less than 50 employees would not have to provide coverage.
Foil said he doesn’t believe treating autism is currently required under state law, otherwise there would be no cost associated with the bill.
He said the only statute he could find in current state law that includes autism refers to treatments for mental illness.
“Autism is not mental illness,” Foil said. “It’s a neurological disorder.”
In a prior House committee hearing on the bill, supporters said that the mandate, if it becomes law, would increase monthly health insurance premiums about $1.59 on individual polices and about $4.40 on family policies.
Foil said Thursday that a 2006 Harvard study showed it can cost about $3.2 million to care for an autistic person over his or her lifetime.
“Three point two million is the cost to society if it’s not addressed,” Foil said.
Rep. Noble Ellington, D-Winnsboro, said that six years ago, one in 10,000 children were born with autism. Now, one in 150 children are born with autism.
“That’s what I call an epidemic,” Ellington said.
“Three dollars more a month on our insurance? So be it,” Ellington said. “There are children out there who can live a normal life if we together step up to the plate and say, yes, we can do our part.”
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