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Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in theUnited States. One in 150 children are diagnosed with autism, which is morethan the number of children diagnosed with AIDS, juvenile diabetes and cancercombined, yet many of their treatments and therapies are not covered byprivate or public health insurance. However, autism insurance reform fits wellwithin the state's practice of smart mandates, having minimal cost/premiumimpact and providing an essential and extraordinary benefit to the affectedpopulation.
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"Autism Speaks commends the Commission and its staff for reaching out incountless ways to parents and advocates across California and for listening toour concerns about appropriate and equitable health care insurance forchildren with autism," said Kristin Jacobson, Chapter Advocacy Chair, AutismSpeaks California. "We believe that all health plans and insurers shouldprovide a full range of services for children with autism, including intensivebehavioral treatment, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, a highly effective,evidenced-based intensive behavior modification therapy."
According to the report, coverage of health care, behavioral, andpsychotherapeutic services for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is limited,inconsistent or excluded altogether. Health plans may deny services for ASDfor reasons related to medical necessity that are at odds with medicalscience. Thus, the frequent denial of these services for ASD by some privatehealth plans may be inconsistent both with current scientific evidence as wellas with the standards and approaches that are applied to other illnesses andmedical conditions. Finally, health plan denials of ASD services often do notacknowledge or reference the emerging standards of care and best practicesthat are being developed at autism centers of excellence.
"With a successful push to legislation, California will join twelve otherstates in addressing this crisis by implementing autism-specific insurancelegislation," added Albert Wang M.D., Internal Medical Physician, Blue RibbonCommissioner, Parent and Founder of Friends of Children with Special Needs.
Autism Speaks also supports the Commission's recommendations for earlyidentification and intervention, improving access to services, preparingteachers and other school-based personnel and increasing awareness andknowledge of autism among law enforcement officers and first responders.
About Autism
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability tocommunicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied byextreme behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in onein 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys asgirls. The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a nationalpublic health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
About California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism
The Blue Ribbon Commission, a joint legislative task force of healthexperts, business leaders, affected family members and academics, was formedin April 2005 by California Senate President pro Tem Don Perata and CaliforniaAssembly Speaker Fabian Nunez. Early on in their research, the Commissionersand staff identifie
