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Autism insurance legislation touted for 2010

By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio

Jefferson City, Mo. – Another effort is being made in Missouri to expand health insurance coverage to pay for diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Legislation being prepared for the 2010 session would require state-regulated group insurance plans to cover the cost of "applied behavioral analysis" for people with autism under the age of 21, up to $72,000 a year.

State Senator Eric Schmitt (R, Glendale) has a son with autism.

"I have seen, firsthand, the great challenges that these children and their families face, and how critical it is that we have services that they can receive, particularly early," Schmitt said.

Companies that employ 50 or fewer people could be exempt if they can prove their premiums would rise by more than five percent.

Brent Butler with the Missouri Insurance Coalition says, though, the bill would still harm small businesses.

"Employers that buy coverage for their employees would see increases that may cause them to drop coverage altogether and have their employees be on their own," Butler said.

Butler added that the bill could cause insurance premiums to rise by about three percent. Supporters, though, say the increase would be less than one percent.

The legislation is backed by Governor Jay Nixon and by several lawmakers from both parties.

Similar legislation last year passed the Missouri Senate but failed in the House.

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