Kansas

Kansas Autism News:

"Capitol Push-Week for Kate's Law!" A Success!

Topeka, KS (January 28, 2010) -- This week, Autism Speaks joined the Kansas Coalition for Autism Legislation and fellow autism advocates from across Kansas for a Capitol Push Week for Kate's Law at the state capitol in Topeka.

Advocates spent yesterday in Topeka to visit with legislators. Representatives from Autism Speaks and KCAL met with the President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Morris, and his chief of staff. They also dropped off information packets on Kate' Law with all House Representative offices.

Thank you to all who called, emailed, and visited their state legislators and urged their support for Kate's Law, the autism insurance reform bill.

Featured Kansas Headlines:

Autism Speaks Joins Kansas Parents and Autism Advocates In Denouncing Insurance Industry Claims (April 20, 2009)

Autism Speaks Joins Kansas Families to Answer Legislator Questions Raised About Kate’s Law (February 20, 2009)

Kansas LEPC Recommends Passage of Kate's Law (November 21, 2008)

Summary of Kate's Law:

Senate Bill 12 "Kate's Law" - Introduced by the LEPC

House Bill 2367 - Sponsored by Representative Mike Peterson (D-37) and Representative Louis Ruiz (D-32)

Requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder
Coverage will be provided to individuals under the age of 21
Coverage under this bill is subject to an inflation adjusted maximum benefit of $75,000 annually
Small businesses (employers with 50 or fewer employees) may "opt out" of providing this coverage
Coverage of treatments will be provided when prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with autism by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist who determines the care to be medically necessary
The bill includes coverage of the following treatments: Diagnosis, Habilitative or rehabilitative care, Pharmacy care, Psychiatric care, Psychological care, Therapeutic care, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
The bill applies only to fully-funded health plans governed by state

Bill History:

January 27, 2010: Autism Speaks joins KCAL for a "Capitol Push Day for Kate's Law"!

January 11, 2010: Kansas Legislature begins 2010 session. Kate's Law (SB 12/HB 2367) reintroduced.

May 6, 2009: 2009 legislative session ends without passage of Kate's Law. Bills will carry over to 2010 session.

April 3, 2009 - Motion submitted to the House Insurance Committee to move Kate's Law (HB 2367) out of Committee and send to the House floor.

March 19, 2009 - House Insurance Committee holds hearing on Kate's Law (HB 2367). No vote is held.

March 5, 2009 - Autism insurance reform bill, House Bill 2367 (Kate's Law), introduced in the State House. The bill is referred to the House Insurance Committee.

January 29, 2009 - Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee holds hearing on Kate's Law (SB 12). No vote is held.

January 12, 2009 - Autism insurance reform bill, Senate Bill 12 (Kate's Law), introduced in State Senate. The bill is referred to the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.