Howell's Autism Bill Closer to Becoming Law

Virginia legislators are trying to gain that support and funding to ensure children with autism autistic get the educational and social support they need.

Two identical bills that would require insurance coverage for autism treatments and therapies passed at this year’s General Assembly. Del. Tag Greason, R-Potomac Falls, sponsored House Bill 2467, and Sen. Janet Howell, D-Reston, sponsored bill SB 1062.

The bills are now waiting review from Gov. Bob McDonnell.

Both bills require health insurers, health care subscription plans, and health maintenance organizations to cover for autism spectrum diagnoses and treatments in children age two to six. There’s an annual maximum benefit of $35,000 of coverage for Applied Behavior Analysis, a form of autism therapy. The bills also exclude state employees and include employers with over 50 employees.

The Virginia Autism Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of autistic individuals, has been persistent with pushing legislation protecting families with autistic children.

This year, they heavily supported SB 1062.  Pat DiBari, president of the organization, stressed his desire for Virginia to catch up to other states when it comes to autism insurance reform.

 “For years, families of children with autism have been caught in an endless struggle with insurance companies for coverage of autism treatments and therapies,” DiBari said in a statement.

“The state of Virginia has not been keeping up with other states on this front,” DiBari said, “We hope the legislature will reform insurance laws this year to require coverage for children with a diagnosis of autism like 23 other states have done.”

Teresa Champion, regional director of the Virginia Autism Project,  has a son with autism. She says she was particularly touched by Reginald Latson’s case and knows how important medical insurance is in treating autistic children.

“You have to treat these children early,” Champion said. “If parents can’t afford to do that because medical insurance won’t pay for coverage, the children can’t be treated.”

“What we’re trying to do is save money in the long run,” Champion said.

Despite positive intentions, Champion worries that the legislation will result in a similar fate to past autism insurance reform bills.

“Our fear is that the governor will amend or veto the bill,” Champion said.

Still, the subject has gotten support all across the political spectrum. Gov. Bob McDonnell even gave the Virginia Autism Project $5,000 worth of extra funds from inaugural campaign money.

Champion also said that unlike in previous years, legislation on autism insurance reform received a lot of Democrat and Republican support. The Speaker of the House, Delegate William J. Howell, R-Fredericksburg, has even shown great support for the issue. But because the Virginia Autism Project was shooting for SB 1062,  Howell was the organization’s main sponsor. 

Greason, whose HB 2467 was identical to SB 1062, also is enthusiastic about autism insurance reform.

“I have a number of constituents with kids with autism,” Greason said. “As an elected official, I think the government has a responsibility to help those who truly can’t help themselves.”

He acknowledges the amount of time it has taken for autism insurance reform to be recognized at the General Assembly.

“It has been 11 years that families have been coming to legislators about this issue,” Greason said. “My participation is a small part of long, long struggle.”

“All we’re doing now is waiting for the governor to sign and pass [the bills] as law,” Greason said.