Governor Doyle Calls on Legislature to Require Insurance Companies to Cover Autism

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle is calling on the Legislature to pass a bill that would require insurance companies to cover autism. Governor Doyle was joined at a press conference yesterday in Madison with Senator Judy Robson and Representative Kim Hixson, as well as Mike Crute and Dr. Morton Ann Gernbacher, two parents with autistic children.

“We have a special and sacred obligation to all the children of our state,” Governor Doyle said. “My proposal will help provide the care and support that children across our state living with autism need and deserve, and help take the squeeze off the families that support them. I hope the Legislature will work in a bipartisan way and side with the children and families living with this disease, and not with the big insurance companies.”

Governor Doyle’s proposal would help take the weight off the thousands of Wisconsin families living with autism, by requiring insurance companies to cover autistic children. Not only will this provide real relief for families feeling squeezed by the high costs of autism treatment, it will also help ensure more children living with this disease receive the care they need to lead healthy lives.
Governor Doyle proposed strengthening current legislation to include minimum coverage levels of $60,000 for intensive level services and $30,000 for post-intensive services. By passing this bill, the current waiting list for autism treatment can be cut by one-third, providing more kids access to the services they deserve sooner.

Autism treatment services are already covered in 19 states: California, Indiana, Iowa, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Arizona.