AUTISM IN THE NEWS
Michigan Becomes 30th State to Pass Autism Insurance Reform
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
In a move fitting for Autism Awareness month, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan Brian Calley signed into law new legislation that requires insurance companies to offer autism treatment coverage for children up to age 18. This makes Michigan the 30th state to enact autism insurance reform, and the first to pass autism insurance reform since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued data detailing the prevalence of autism in the United States. The new legislation will require insurance companies to provide children with autism coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), speech and occupational therapy. The two autism bills, SB.414 and SB.415, were introduced by Senators from both sides of the aisle with endorsements from autism awareness organization Autism Speaks.
"Because Michigan chose to act, its families will soon be able to access therapies that have been medically proven to make a difference in the lives of children affected by autism," said Lorri Unumb, Autism Speaks vice president for state government relations. The legislation hits close to home for Lt. Governor Calley, who has a daughter with autism and pushed for the passage of the autism bills.
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