Share this
Twitter
Myspace
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Slashdot
Furl
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Export PDF
Print
E-mail
Tags
BY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
With autism care advocates and the parents of afflicted children looking on, the Assembly Thursday overwhelmingly approved legislation that would require health insurers to provide coverage for treatments of autism-spectrum disorders.
The proposal, A-2238, passed 71-4 with 1 abstentions. Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden), a prime co-sponsor, described the measure as a key among a package of autism treatment bill the Legislature has approved since 2007.
The dissenting votes were cast by Assembly members Michael Carroll (R-Morris), John DiMaio (R-Warren), Robert Merkt (R-Morris) and Jay Webber (R-Morris). Assemblyman Michael Doherty (R-Warren) abstained.
The bill would require health insurers to cover the expenses of treatments deemed medically necessary for autism-spectrum disorders, including: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger's Disorder and Rhett's Syndrome. Insurance coverage would apply for physical, speech or occupational therapy and behavioral interventions. Coverage expenses would be capped at $36,000 annually and eligible treatments would be limited to individuals 21 years of age and younger. Insurers would have the right to review a doctor's prescribed and detailed treatment plan.
If the legislation is approved by the Senate and Gov. Jon Corzine, New Jersey would become the 11th state to authorize insurance coverage for autism therapies.According to the most recent statistics from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Jersey claims the nation's highest reported rate of autism - one of out of every 94 children. The national rate is one out of 150 children.
There currently is no cure for autism, and its cause also remains unknown. "Failing to help a child try to overcome the obstacles presented by autism will lead to costlier problems later," Roberts said. 20"Autistic adults who have not received the proper treatment will leave our families, communities and state with new and more expensive challenges. Not only are we making people's lives better, we're doing it in a very cost-effective way. This i s just an incredibly good investment."
Assemblyman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson), another co-sponsor, said, "Families living every day with this baffling disorder need the assurance that autism treatments recommended by their doctors will be covered by insurers. Autism already robs a person of so much; treating it shouldn't also rob a family of their finances."
"Even though science still has a limited understanding of autism-spectrum disorders, doctors and families know that early treatment can provide some hope for a normal life," said Assemblywoman Joan Voss (D-Bergen), another co-sponsor, whose son suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. "New Jerseyans living with autism and their families should never feel as if they are facing this disorder alone."
The bill moves to the Senate, where a companion measure is poised for a floor vote.
