The Quest for Autism Insurance

Lynda Huggins son has autism. Insurance coverage for his specific condition is not avaliable in Louisiana, leaving the family to feel the financial burden. Huggins said, "Without any justification, famiies of children with autism have not been able to get insurance coverage for treatment and therapies their children need." "Its really strange that just the word autism takes away their right to insurance coverage," Huggins said. Bill 958, a bill that will provide insurance coverage to austistic individuals 17 years and younger, may change all that. Huggins son is now too old, but she said she will fight for other children. She says the financial benefits of the bill could be priceless. Huggins said, "I know parents who have taken second and third jobs, taken a second mortgage on their homes just to try to get to the treatments that can help their children." The treatment: Applied Behavioral Analysis. The treatment is taught at the Autism Learning Center in Monroe, an organization that also supports the insurance bill. Holly York, the administrator at the Autism Learning Center, said, "These families desperatly need to be able to give their children this treatment." Huggins said, "Autism is treatable, children are recovering." York said she agrees, "Were servicing children all the way from Lafayette, from Arkansas, Baton Rouge, Winnsboro, Rayville, Bastrop." All with parents who believe in the treatment. "If we dont get on board with these ABAs our children are going to keep falling further and further behind," York said. Huggins said, "If we dont treat them while theyre young, theyre going to be a burden on society as disabled adults all of their life." She continued, "These children should not be denied insurance coverage that every other child has. Its discrimination based on the word autism and its time that should change." -Candace Miers, NBC 10 News If you would like more information about the bill or about joining an autism support group contact: NE Louisiana Autism Society -www.autismnela.org -1-888-300-1320 (toll free) or -318-361-0487