Utah Autism News:
February 16 Update
Autism Speaks Statement on Utah Legislation
The following statement was distributed to the Utah autism community by Autism Speaks:
THANK YOU so much for all of your hard work over the last year to pass autism insurance reform.
The current status of the Utah Autism Insurance Reform legislation endorsed by Autism Speaks,
HB 69, is that the bill is being held in the House Rules Committee. We have been informed that HB 69 will not be released from this committee for the duration of the session.
As such, there are no further plans to generate calls, emails or Capitol visits in support of HB 69.
There has been an alternate solution drafted by Representative Menlove - also known as
HB 272. Autism Speaks has not taken a position on this bill. If you
have opinions about this bill please share those with your legislators.
Thank you again for all of your efforts this year!
Autism Speaks Endorses Utah Autism Insurance Reform Bill
HB 69 Would End Health Care Discrimination Against Children with Autism by Requiring Coverage of Treatment
NEW YORK, NY (January 19, 2012) – Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, today announced its support for HB-69 which would require private insurance companies in Utah to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism.
Families paying thousands of dollars a year in insurance premiums would gain coverage for the screening, diagnosis, testing and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Sponsored by State Representative Ronda Rudd Menlove (R-Garland), HB-69 includes coverage of behavioral health treatments, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based autism therapy.
“We applaud and thank Representative Menlove for her leadership on this issue of critical concern to thousands of Utah families,” said Lorri Unumb, Autism Speaks vice president for state government affairs. “Autism Speaks joins Utah’s autism community in calling on the legislature to pass HB-69 and join the growing majority of states that have ended healthcare discrimination against children with autism.”
Many states do not require private insurance companies to cover even essential autism treatments and services. In the absence of coverage, families often pay as much as they can out-of-pocket for services that can cost upwards of $50,000 per year. In the process, many risk their homes and the educations of their unaffected children – essentially mortgaging their entire futures.
“Utah parents raising children with autism are thrilled that our legislature is taking on this issue,” said Mirella Petersen, of Layton, president of the Utah Autism Coalition. “It’s time for Utah to join the 29 other states, including Colorado, Nevada and Arizona, that have enacted autism insurance reform laws that allow access to evidence-based treatment that enhances the lives of families affected by autism."
Summary of 2012 Utah Autism Insurance Reform Bill:
House Bill 69 - Sponsored by State Representatives Ronda Rudd Menlove (R-Garland)
The bill would:
- require providers of accident or health insurance policies to include coverage for the treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders
- establish a $50,000 minimum annual benefit for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy
- require coverage to include:
- ABA
- pharmaceuticals
- psychiatric treatment
- psychological treatment
- occupational therapy
- speech therapy
- medical treatment
- The bill would apply to all accident and health insurance policies issued or renewed starting January 1, 2013
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