House Bill 187

"An Act requiring insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders”

What: Autism spectrum disorder is a disorder that current rates suggest affects about 1 in 100 children. While there is currently no cure for autism, the disorder is treatable, particularly if early intervention takes place in the life of a very young child. There is currently no insurance requirement for the diagnosis and treatment of autism in Alaska.

Why: It is estimated that the state will pay $3.2 million per capita for cases of autism that are not treated, as autism can be a significant and costly disability if not treated when a child is very young. Besides unreasonably high economic costs for not treating autism, individuals who are treated early on for autism have a much higher likelihood of living a satisfying and productive life. There is no question that autism is a significant disability in many cases, yet the state of Alaska still does not recognize its severity. Nearly 30 other states in the United States have introduced autism insurance reform legislation in the past year, and 13 states have enacted some kind of insurance coverage. In those 13 states, the progress is remarkable. The Governor’s Council supports the improvement of the quality of life for those individuals with autism, and seeks to reform the current standards on autism insurance coverage to meet the needs of Alaskans.

 

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