Illinois Leading the Fight Against Autism

Illinois' governor is giving hope to families with autistic children by using his power to rewrite legislation that could require insurers to pay for diagnosis and treatment of autism. Approximately 26,000 children in the state of Illinois have been diagnosed with autism-related disorders and according to the CDC, one in every 150 children in the U.S. suffer from the disease. At present, the cause is unknown and there is no cure.

Autism is an often misunderstood brain disorder that affects the use of language, reaction to stimuli and the ability to interpret of the world. Since most insurance companies don't cover the costs associated with autism—and with the annual treatment plan reaching $50,000-plus—it often costs families their entire life savings.

The state's governor, Rod Blagojevich, used his amendatory veto ability to add autism coverage language from Senate Bill 1900 to House Bill 4255, a bill that required public employee health plans to cover preventative physical therapy treatment for multiple sclerosis patients. The new bill would be expanded to require insurers to cover autism diagnosis, psychiatric and psychological services, and to include occupational, behavioral, physical and speech therapy. Insurers would also be required to pay up to $36,000 a year per patient and to provide an unlimited number of medical visits for autism patients until the age of 21. Senate Bill 1900 was defeated earlier this year, despite broad bi-partisan support.

Mike McRaith, insurance director of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, feels that if passed, this bill will give Illinois the most comprehensive coverage for autism of any state, although a few states have higher policy limits they are severely restricted as to whom they cover.

"As sponsor of this bill, I'm glad to know that families dealing with the expense of covering the costs of multiple sclerosis and autism know that they are not alone," said State Representative Robert Pritchard. "The State of Illinois is in their corner and fighting with them to make sure their children are able to minimize the effect of autism on their lives."

If children do not receive proper diagnosis and intervention at an early age, they have less that a 2 percent chance of leading a normal life. Governor Blagojevich said, "I am amending this legislation because insurance should never be an obstacle to children reaching their potential. It's about protecting families who are doing what they are supposed to," Blagojevich said.

To parents and their autistic children, this law means much more than just relieving some of the stress created by the high cost of medical treatment-It Means Hope. And with this new legislation paving the way, let's hope that other states will be quick to adopt new laws that will help families face autism.