State Senator Martin M. Looney
May 15, 2009
Looney and Crisco Gain Approval of Bill to Require Comprehensive Health Coverage for Autism
The Senate has unanimously approved a bill co-sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senator Joseph Crisco (D-Woodbridge), the co-chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee that could make Connecticut the 10th state in the nation to require comprehensive health insurance for autism. It is designed to improve health care for thousands of families in Connecticut by mandating full insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
During the 2008 session of the General Assembly approved a bill that requires health insurance policies in Connecticut to cover physical, speech and occupational therapy services provided to treat autism spectrum disorders if the policies cover these services for other diseases and conditions.
Senate Bill 301, An Act Concerning Health Insurance Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorders broadens what a group health insurance policy must cover regarding autism spectrum disorders. It requires a policy to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including behavioral therapy for a child age 15 or younger and certain prescription drugs and psychiatric and psychological services.
“Today we moved one step closer to delivering help for families and children who suffer from autism. 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.”
“This important health care legislation will expand on the bill approved last year and will mandate insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders,” said Senator Crisco. “This will help to make sure that the families in Connecticut with children with this developmental illness will have access to affordable health care. By approving this legislation, we have taken action to improve treatment for people with autism and hopefully help to improve the quality of their lives.”
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