Autism Insurance

Autism insurance bill tentatively passes Senate

(Desert News) - The Senate voted 17-11 Wednesday to give third and final consideration to a bill that would make in-home behavioral therapy for autistic children a covered procedure by state medical insurance.

The final vote on SB43 could come as early as Thursday. The outcome is too close to call, given that at least five senators who voted in favor of the measure did so on condition that their concerns be addressed in the meantime.

Floor debate on the bill over the bill mirrored in tone, length and vote the sentiments of lawmakers who reviewed the bill a week ago. The bill, nicknamed “Clays Law” after 8-year-old Clay Whiffen, whose parents say has fully recovered from severe autistic behavior through the therapy described in the proposal,

Senators voting against the measure said the therapy is apparently effective and the parents of the children who would benefit are certainly worthy of respect for dealing with the extreme disruptions associated with autistic behavior and for their situation.

Read full story