LANSING – House Majority Floor Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) this week led supporters and families of children with autism in explaining to the House Health Policy Committee why health insurance companies need to cover autism treatments.
"Autism affects one in 150 children, and more of our kids are being diagnosed with autism each day," Angerer said. "My bill will end the arbitrary discrimination against our children and will give kids with autism the best chance to reach their full potential. I'm proud to stand alongside thousands of Michigan families in this fight for our children."
Angerer, who is the sponsor of a plan to require health insurance companies to cover autism treatments, testified about the importance of early intervention. According to "Benefit-Cost Analysis of Michigan Autism Insurance Coverage," a study by James N. Bouder, MPA, and Jon Hockenyos, 47 percent of children who undergo treatment for autism will recover "typical" function. Another 40 percent will make significant improvement, although continuing to show traits of the disorder. According to the Michigan Department of Education, an estimated 13,839 children in Michigan had some form of autism in 2008.
Unfortunately, most health insurance companies cover only autism screenings, leaving families to pay $50,000 or more each year for treatment on their own. If untreated, it can cost $3.4 million to provide care for an individual with autism over his or her lifetime. On average, treatment will cut that cost by more than half. The Center for Affordable Health Insurance estimated in March that including coverage for autism treatment in health insurance plans would raise premiums by less than one percent.
Two children previously diagnosed with autism testified to show the tremendous difference treatment often makes. In addition, the mother of two boys, one of whom has autism, explained to the committee that at one point her insurance paid for speech therapy for both boys. When her older son was diagnosed with autism, insurance would no longer cover his treatment.
"The time to act is now," Angerer said. "Together we can raise autism awareness and make sure all of our children reach their full potential."