Parents, Lawmakers Gather in Support of Autism Bill
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The proposed bill would provide financial assistance to families with autistic children
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Loudoun residents touched by autism gathered Monday evening at the Lansdowne Potomac Club to rally support for legislation designed to ease the disease's financial burden on families.
In a series of testimonials and presentations, parents and advocates spoke to a full house about the devastation of an illness not covered by insurance can cause.
Most families pay about $50,000 a year in therapy costs. Many parents shared stories of how the disease derailed even their otherwise financially stable families.
"My family has refinanced our home to get our child what he needs," said Cindy Davis, one parent who voiced her support of the bill.
Davis was one of about 20 parents who spoke at the summit. Most shared a similar story. After their sons or daughters were diagnosed, they were forced to make decisions about what treatments they would give their children. Typically, Davis said, it comes down to paying the bills or paying for treatment that could help move a child off the Autism Spectrum.
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As of December 2007, there were 528 autistic students enrolled in Loudoun County Public School system, said Mary Kearney, Head of Loudoun County Special Education.
The bill would primarily cover a program called ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, which was approved by the surgeon general in 2002 as a way to treat autism. Although Davis and other parents would like to see other programs covered, this is start, they said.
Legislators who attended the Summit, especially the bill's sponsor Del. Robert Marshall (R-13), seconded their hopes.
"I'm your coach, I know how to navigate these falls, but we need your help," said Marshall.
If House Bill 83 is passed, Virginia will be the fifth state this year to mandate insurers provide autism coverage. Furthermore, coverage would apply to all autistic children and young adults under the age of 21. This could total about $36,000 in annual coverage per child.
House Bill 83 will be up for a vote in the Virginia General Assembly next session.
"I'd like to see this bill passed – that's why I'm here tonight," Beverly Tolbert said. Tolbert's 8-year-old son is autistic.
"There are a lot of kids out there being diagnosed," she said. "This is a problem. People need to be aware."
"Virginia needs to do more with children with autism," said Sen. Mark Herring (D-33), who was also present. "From what I've heard tonight, this seems like a reasonable measure, but of course, I will have to look into it."
Marshall said he was optimistic about the bill and believes the community, strong and dedicated, will sustain the movement.
"The reason I'm optimistic is that people live this everyday," Marshall said. "If we do this at the grassroots, we can do this."
Tagged: children, general assembly, Loudoun County Public Schools
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When your insurance rates go up this year, think of this article.
Posted by Hoqenishy (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think insurance should be mandated to cover this. It's your child; it's your responsibility.
Posted by ms1234 (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Both Hoqenishy and ms1234 use uninformed common issue scare tactics that cannot be quantified after objective information is reviewed. It was estimated that the average increase in insurance will be $1 per month per household. It has also been previously approved by insurance companies in other states already.
Posted by cakkallen (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The article is unclear about what the bill does. Will it mandate that insurers cover ABA? Or will it mandate the state of VA cover it?
Anyone seen the recent study that links increased TV watching before age 3 with autism? I think it was on Slate if you are interested.
Posted by datdamwuf (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
... and the "hook, line, and sinker" award goes to cakkallen. How about this: I opt out of it, and you pay two dollars. Just how realistic do you suppose this is? Parents with autistic kids are not likely to keep medical costs rational and reasonable when someone else is footing the bill - just look at special education programs!
Posted by Hoqenishy (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And the most unrealistic award with a "I'll bury my head in the sand and hope the problem goes away" cluster is given to Hoqenishy.
Current science says that ASD is a genetic disorder. How about if we help Hoqenishy reduce his insurance by not covering ANY genetic disorder like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, birth defects. Guess what Hoqenishy, all of these problems effect special education programs! Why don’t you just not buy insurance if you don’t like the coverage?
Posted by cakkallen (anonymous) on July 31, 2008 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Current science also says that ASD has no cure, and that treatments have questionable and unproven long-term efficacy. Unlike cancer, diabetes, and heart disease (which all have empirical treatment regimen, even if no cure exists) autism is a big black hole that SpEd parents want the taxpayers to throw money at, and now want insurance companies to foot the bill for. Insurance cos already cover definitive medical ASD comorbidities, and you're now asking them to cover whatever witchdoctory that parents of ASD children decide is effective this month.
Posted by Hoqenishy (anonymous) on August 1, 2008 at 6:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for the proof that ASD treatment should be covered just like all the other "big black holes" of incurable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease because the treatments being requested have all been empirically proven treatments as well. Please provide some proof that the coverage will be for "whatever witchdoctory that parents of ASD children decide is effective this month".
You obviously know little to nothing about both ASD and the bill.
Posted by cakkallen (anonymous) on August 1, 2008 at 8:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hoqenishy,
If you knew anything about LCPS spending, you would know that your statement "autism is a big black hole that SpEd parents want the taxpayers to throw money at" is factually incorrect.
Posted by cakkallen (anonymous) on August 1, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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