A bill that has been fought over for years is closer to becoming a reality

Last Thursday, the House of Delegates passed the bill that would require insurance companies to cover therapy for those diagnosed with autism.  Right now, ABA therapy is capped at 30 thousand dollars a year for three years following a diagnosis.  After that, ABA therapy is capped at two thousand a month until the individual turns 18.

The Bill is now in the hands of the Senate, who Delegate Mary Poling thinks will pass it.  She also believes it will make a big difference i the lives of autism patients.

Poling said, "I think it's important if we don't treat the children with autism early, then they will become our responsibility later when they are not functioning as a productive citizens and taxpayers and family members, early intervention is the key there and that's what this bill would do."

The day the House passed the bill, Poling read a letter to her fellow delegates from Alyssa Leach, who is a senior at Elkins High School.  The letter read:

"Families who can't afford the cost aren't able to get all the services that may benefit their child.  This is a big mistake that shouldn't be happening because therapies are almost always a necessity for children with autism."

"Children who have had ABA therapy at an early age are able to learn in a regular classroom setting because the therapy has taught them how to preform everyday tasks and how to have self control."

http://www.wdtv.com/index.php/home/local-news/4977-a-closer-look-at-autism-insurance-bill