LANSING – Speaking at an autism rally held today at the Capitol, State Representative Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) called on health insurance companies to enact policies that will enable children with autism to reach their full potential. Angerer, who has sponsored bipartisan legislation that would require health insurance companies to end their arbitrary exclusion of treatment for autism, was a featured speaker during the rally that included families, educators and autism advocates from across the state.
"Excluding autism from health insurance coverage is arbitrary and unfair," Angerer said. "By not covering treatment, we are turning our backs on thousands of children and their families. Michigan's families deserve better. Autism is still not very well understood, and today's rally shows that there's a deep commitment from all across Michigan to tackle this disorder head-on."
Autism, which refers to the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as autism spectrum disorders, is characterized by difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction and repetitive behaviors. The impact ranges from mild to disabling. Little is known about the causes of autism, but occurrences of the disorders have risen. Between 2001 and 2006, the number of children in Michigan public schools diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder increased by more than 100 percent, according to the Autism Society of Michigan.
Angerer, who is the Chair of the House Health Policy Committee, has worked hard to increase autism awareness and make research a priority. The Dundee lawmaker recently sponsored a plan, which passed the House, to create an income tax checkoff option that gives Michigan residents a convenient way to voluntarily contribute to a fund that promotes autism research.
Lambertville resident Ann Breznai, who helped organize the rally, said that support from legislators like Angerer is crucial to reaching a greater understanding of autism.
"It was an inspiration to see so many people travel to the Capitol to speak out for children across this state who are trying to navigate through the world while living with a complex neurological disorder," said Breznai, whose son, Jarret, has autism. "Rep. Kathy Angerer's sincere commitment to promoting autism awareness, and her dedication to taking action to help autistic children, will help boys and girls like Jarret reach their full potential."