Senate Leadership
July 29, 2009
Autism Law Will Create Hope, Opportunity and a Better Life
An Op-ed by Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney and Senator Joseph Crisco
Based on national estimates, it is highly likely that hundreds of children who live in Hamden, North Haven, and Wallingford suffer from autism. For these children, early, intensive treatment can literally make the difference between speaking or never uttering a single word; the difference between participating in more mainstream education instead of solely relying on special education services; and the difference between adult independent living and employment or a group home and disability compensation.
There is no indication the autism epidemic is subsiding. In fact, according to the Autism Society of America, autism is the fastest growing developmental disability, with an annual cost of $90 billion. The vast majority of the costs are in adult services, two-thirds of which can be reduced with early diagnosis and intervention.
Considering what is at stake, it would seem foolish — even immoral — to deny health insurance coverage for those with autism. However, in the past that is exactly what Connecticut law has allowed health insurers to do. As a result, many families are left with an impossible choice: risk financial ruin by paying thousands of dollars each month for treatment and therapy, or decline treatment and hope for the best.
Our families and loved-ones deserve better, and a few years ago we began the fight for change. Last year, we took an important first step by passing a partial autism insurance mandate bill. This year we pushed even harder and won a historic victory for every family coping with autism.
The new law, which takes effect at the end of the calendar year, mandates comprehensive health insurance coverage for families with autism. This includes coverage for physical, occupational and speech therapies, when there has been a diagnosis of autism. The law ensures coverage for both the diagnosis and treatment of autism, services now costing our families thousands of dollars out of pocket. Critically, it ensures that proven, evidence-based behavioral treatments such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are covered as well.
The benefit of the new law extends beyond the families coping with autism. Studies show that successful, early medical intervention for children on the autism spectrum results in significant future savings. This cost avoidance comes mainly from the decreased need for special education, government assistance, and psychiatric and health care services. It also stems from the likely increased economic productivity of families dealing with autism. Many parents of autistic children often cannot work full time, or at all, because of the full time demands of caring for their afflicted child.
The autism law will change all of this — creating hope, opportunity, and a better life for thousands of families across Connecticut.
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Senator Williams’ Derek Slap |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Derek Slap |
