Dec
09Missouri Governor Jay Nixon is pushing for legislation that would mandate insurance coverage for the treatment and diagnosis of autism in the state. This is not his first time trying to push for legislation, but while it failed before, he hopes that it will be passed in the 2010 legislative session.
Recently, Missouri Senators Scott Rupp and Eric Schmitt have both noted that one in 100 children are diagnosed with autism. Despite the overwhelming number of children who need treatment, insurance companies won’t pay to treat the disease.
It is for this reason that together, Rupp and Schmitt are co-sponsoring a bill supported by Nixon, Missouri House Speaker Ron Richard and other state members, both Republican and Democrat, that would require insurance companies to pay.
Legislative members are pushing to have a measure passed within a year. If it is passed, insurance companies would have to cover up to $72,000 a year to diagnose and treat autism.
Nixon, who recently made stops in Jefferson City, Springfield and St. Louis, Mo. to push his agenda noted that he would like to fall in line with the 14 other states that already have this legislation in place.
Also, he hopes that Missouri can become a nationwide leader in diagnosing and treating autism.
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