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Covering autism treatment

Published (2/27/2009)
By Lee Ann Schutz
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Reece Trahan, 8, who is autistic, rests his arms on the podium as his father, Brad, left top, and mother, Joanie, left center, founders of the Autism Awareness Foundation, Inc., testify Feb. 24 before the House Commerce and Labor Committee in support of a bill that would require insurance carriers to cover autism spectrum disorders. Rep. Kim Norton, left bottom, sponsors HF359. (Photo by Tom Olmscheid)It’s an important bill that is controversial because of the mandates it would impose — that is the description Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester) gave to HF359, which she sponsors.

Heard before the House Commerce and Labor Committee Feb. 24, the bill would require health plans to cover autism spectrum disorder, specifically a treatment known as Applied Behavior Analysis. While most autism treatments are covered by insurance, not all cover ABA, which supporters say is the most comprehensive and most effective approach to improving the lives of people with autism and their families.

“Today we are knocking on your door … to give parents and their children the hope they deserve. We are knocking on your door so those children can receive the medical therapy they need,” said Brad Trahan, a parent of an autistic son and chairman of the Senate Autism Task Force.

He and several testifiers talked about the difference the prescribed treatment has made in their children’s quality of life, but yet creates a financial hardship when it is not covered by insurance.

Stacia Smith, director of workforce and health policy for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, said the organization opposes the bill because of the mandate it would put on the insurance market.

Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston) said the increasing number of state mandates on insurance is a cause for rate increases and fewer companies offering coverage to their employees.

“This amendment will cause people to become uninsured,” he said.

Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-St. Louis Park) called opponents “inflexible” because of their seeming unwillingness to compromise. He wanted to know, “What would you tell these families to do?”

Mike Hickey, state director for the National Federation of Independent Business/Minnesota, responded, “I would tell them that the small employers in this state, in the middle of this terrible recession, really can’t afford something that’s going to get real expensive. I’d tell them that it just can’t be done right now.”

Approved by the committee, the bill was referred to the House Finance Committee. Its companion, SF312, sponsored by Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park), awaits action by the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.

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