Autism is a terrible disease that afflicts an estimated 34,000 Missouri children, robbing many of them of reaching their full potential. We have spent months gathering facts and researching what answers are needed for Missouri's Autism epidemic. Autism is not currently covered under health insurance plans in Missouri, and many children go without treatment because their parents simply can't afford it. Treatment for this disease is crucial to young children and those in their young adulthood.
Over the summer, the Speaker of the House assigned the Interim Committee for Autism Spectrum Disorders and tasked them with coming up with legislation that formed a consensus between autism advocates, insurance providers and key health officials. The Speaker vowed that the autism insurance bill would be the first bill he moved out of his office and into committee this session, and he came through on that pledge.
The Speaker sent the bill to the Special Standing Committee on Health Insurance, chaired by Representative Kevin Wilson, R—Neosho, and the bill passed out of committee this week. This bill [HB1311] would require insurance companies to provide coverage for those diagnosed with autism, up to a specific dollar amount. Therefore, parents would no longer pay all expenses for treatment out of pocket. Some of you may be affected with autism or know someone who is – and you are aware that these treatments can be extremely expensive.
In the House, we wanted to do everything we could to ease the burden on Missouri families affected with autism, and we believe this bill will be vital to these families. Next, the bill will head to the rules committee and then to the office of the Majority Floor Leader to be heard on the floor sometime next week or the week after.
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