VA parents beg for autism insurance
February 2nd, 2009From the Washington Post:
Virginia parents are pushing a bipartisan bill that would require insurers to provide coverage for costly autism therapies, as they do in 27 other states and the District of Columbia.
But business is lobbying hard against it, arguing that another government mandate would drive up health-care premiums and cause businesses to consider dropping their policies altogether. The measure would require payments of up to $36,000 annually in policies offered by businesses with more than 50 employees.
Families say they just can’t manage out-of-pocket bills for early treatment that can cost as much as $180 an hour, or $60,000 to $80,000 a year. “In some ways, if this bill doesn’t pass, we’re going to get driven out of this state,” said Cassandra Oldham.
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