Georgia Senate Greenlights Autism Treatment Coverage Bill
Thousands of Georgia children with autism are one step closer to getting treatment. On Thursday, the Georgia Senate approved a bill 54 to zero requiring private insurers to cover autism treatment coverage for children six and under.
This is the second year in a row senators have gotten behind autism treatment coverage. They say it’s needed as the prevalence of the disorder increases. Senator Charlie Bethel says in Georgia one in every 64 children has been diagnosed with autism.
“The rate of diagnosis for autism exceeds the rate of childhood cancer, childhood diabetes, childhood HIV and Aids combined.”
And for some lawmakers the issue is personal. Senator Tommie Williams spoke about his 10-year-old great niece Ava Bullard. She was two when she started autism treatment.
“My thoughts were I don’t really know how much they can accomplish, thinking they may help her a little bit, but she’s never going to really speak and be normal. How wrong I was.”
The legislation could face a tougher road in the Georgia House. Conservatives have raised concerns about the cost to small businesses. But Speaker of the House David Ralston says he’s not opposed to a vote on the issue, but he wants data on what it will mean for premiums and Georgia businesses.
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