April 13, 2010
By Jeffrey Nessel
Kansas lawmakers have been patting themselves on the back recently for passing legislation that may someday help families with children on the spectrum pay for ABA therapy. But by insisting on a one-year “test track” the government of Kansas failed to do what 15 other states are already doing — giving equal treatment to families touched by autism. (For those who aren’t familiar, the one-year test track is a supposed financial feasibility test that applies only to individuals insured by the state employee health plan. State statute says a “test track” must be done before a mandate will be considered for the entire population, although lawmakers are hard-pressed to provide examples of other treatment policies carried out accordingly.)
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March 12, 2010
By Toni Lapp
Although a Kansas state senator has told the Topeka Capital-Journal that the future of an autism bill being considered by her committee is “looking cloudier and cloudier,” autism advocates remain steadfast in their support for legislation to mandate health insurance coverage for autism therapy.
Kansas law requires any new mandated health insurance coverage apply only to the state health care benefits program before a mandate can be approved by the legislature for the general population. Kate’s Law (SB 12/HB 2367), backed by the Kansas Coalition for Autism Legislation, was written to be exempt from this statute, which some lawmakers are opposed to.
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January 21, 2010
By Toni Lapp
With the new year, efforts are under way in both Kansas and Missouri to pass legislation mandating insurance coverage of autism treatment. Activists in both states are redoubling their efforts after seeing proposals go down in defeat in 2009.
So far, 15 states have laws requiring insurers to provide coverage for the treatment of autism. Can Missouri or Kansas become the 16th? With Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon identifying autism legislation as one of his priorities for 2010, chances may favor the Show-Me State.
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May 7, 2009
By Jeff Nessel
Just after our son Elijah was born, my parents sent me one of those Hallmark style books about fathers and sons. You know the kind I mean, the one with the sage advice on how to raise your son using homespun sayings that greeting card companies love: Always play catch if your son asks, never be his best friend, always his father, teach him to respect his mother and he’ll always respect women. Unfortunately they never addressed what to do when you find out your son is on the autism spectrum, because in a Hallmark world autism spectrum disorders don’t exist. (Unless it’s the basis for a Hall of Fame Special.)
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