State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.
January 30, 2008
Crisco, Senate Majority Leader & Speaker of the House Push Autism Insurance Bill
New proposal would improve health care coverage, especially for children, and help families afford treatment
Senator Crisco speaks at the press conference announcing renewed efforts to pass an Autism Insurance bill. Behind him is Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney. (January 30, 2009)
Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) is partnering with Speaker of the House Christopher J. Donovan (D-Meriden) to support Senate Bill 301, which mandates full insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
At a news conference to announce the proposal, Senator Looney and Speaker Donovan were joined by Senator Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge); Dr. Michael Powers, a pediatric psychologist and the Director of The Center for Children with Special Needs in Glastonbury; Shannon Knall, Connecticut Advocacy Chair for Autism Speaks; and Melody Latimer, an adult with Asperger’s Syndrome and mother of two children on the autism spectrum.
Last year, Connecticut’s legislature passed autism insurance mandate, which mandated partial coverage for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, to the extent those treatments are covered for other illnesses. That law went into effect earlier this month.
Senate Bill 301 ensures that physician-prescribed physical, occupational and speech therapies are always covered, and expands the list of covered treatments to include Applied Behavior Analysis, psychological evaluations, and medications.
“Despite the fact that autism is a medical condition, like any other, health insurers often inexplicably fail to include coverage for any autism-related treatments,” said Senator Looney. “They often don’t even pay for the diagnoses, which as we all know can cost thousands of dollars. Families in Connecticut literally may be bankrupting themselves to pay for medically necessary autism treatments and tests that have been prescribed by their doctors. That is simply unacceptable. Families and children who suffer from autism deserve better.”
“I am pleased to support this important legislation, which will improve the lives of so many people living with autism in our state,” said Speaker Donovan. "With the proper treatments and tools, people with autism are living more full and independent lives, but too many Connecticut families struggle to pay for these services when their insurance policies do not cover them. This legislation will give more people with autism access to the diagnoses, therapies, and treatments necessary to their success."
In the last two years, at least seven states have enacted powerful insurance mandates, ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage for autism, including for Applied Behavior Analysis.
“With 1 in 150 individuals currently being diagnosed with autism, our society cannot wait,” said Knall. “We must act today to end insurance company discrimination against children with autism. Autism Speaks thanks the Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House for their commitment to helping Connecticut's families who are struggling with the financial hardships of raising a child with autism. The proposed autism insurance reform bill is a common-sense and fiscally responsible way of helping families access the medically necessary, evidence-based autism services that their children are currently excluded from receiving due to an autism diagnosis.”
Health insurers routinely refuse to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including the critical treatment of applied behavioral analysis. For many children in Connecticut who have autism, receiving Applied Behavioral Therapy at the earliest possible age can be life changing. It can make the difference between a child speaking, and never uttering a word. And yet, tragically, many parents are forced to forgo this critical therapy for their children, because they simply cannot afford to pay for it. Other families, like the one attending the news conference, are leaving Connecticut altogether for states where adequate insurance coverage is required. Connecticut families with autism spectrum disorders must be provided with the health insurance coverage they need.
"Living with autism has been a battle that we wage every hour of the day," said Latimer. "The battles are so great, so costly, and so consuming, that we have chosen to move our family out of Connecticut to get more insurance coverage and better services."
“Connecticut took a step in the right direction last year when the General Assembly approved the bill I introduced that requires insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder therapies,” said Senator Crisco, the Co-Chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, which will hold a public hearing on the bill.. “Our work is not complete on the issue of health care coverage for autism. I hope this new legislation will help to resolve the concerns of parents and provide better treatment for their children with this disorder.”
“The use of evidence-based practice and therapies is no less essential for individuals with autism than for those with other medical or neurobiological conditions,” said Dr. Powers. “Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has for over four decades been the most thoroughly researched treatment modality in autism, with well over 500 empirical studies documenting its effectiveness in treating those with autism spectrum disorders. Individuals with autism must be afforded learning opportunities at home, school, and in the community that recognize their strengths while addressing weaknesses. The use of ABA instructional strategies developed and implemented by appropriately trained and certified professionals, can make the difference between a child being a more fully participating member of society, and from being marginalized by society.”
Dr. Ronald Angoff, President of the CT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (CTAAP), was not able to attend, but says his organization strongly supports the bill, “Pediatricians have an important role not only in early recognition and evaluation of autism spectrum disorders but also in chronic management of these disorders. As we all know, autism spectrum disorders are not rare; many primary care pediatricians care for several children with autism spectrum disorders. It is crucial that insurance companies pay for the diagnosis and care of this condition, and the members of the CT Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics applaud Senator Looney and Speaker Donovan for their leadership. “
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Senator Crisco’s |
Listing of Senator Crisco’s recent press releases and a Press Kit with official head shots and bio. |
Press Aide Laurence Grotheer |
