Politics & Government
2012 Autism Bill Will Go To VA Senate
Bill to cover services for children was supposed to go into effect last year. Instead, it is back to the General Assembly. Meanwhile, one Reston family shows what their lives are like with a child with autism.
The Virginia House of Delegates on Friday approved HB-1106, sponsored by Delegate Tag Greason (R-Loudoun), by a vote of 96-1 and sent the measure to the Senate.
The bill would correct a flaw in Virginia's new autism insurance law by ensuring that providers of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are covered. The bill also establishes a state licensing procedure for ABA providers.
In 2011, the General Assembly that would require insurance companies to cover behavioral health therapy for autistic children ages 2 to 6, with a cap on annual coverage costs of $35,000.
Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The initiative failed for 11 straight years until House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) backed it — even though conservatives considered the measure an unacceptable mandate that would drive up insurance costs.
The measure was slated to go into effect last year. However, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said necessary licensing for treatment providers did not exist in Virginia, so it has been on hold.
Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Senate will also consider SB 542, legslation sponsored by Janet Howell that also mandates ABA certification.
The Washington Post has a profile of one Reston family as they navigate the insurance and special needs maze - and still wait for state coverage - with their five year old who has autism. Read the story here.
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