Insurance providers serving Wisconsin families may soon have to cover treatments for autistic children. Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson (D-Beloit) plans to introduce legislation requiring the coverage. She says medical studies have shown that nearly 50 percent of toddlers diagnosed with autism early on can be properly treated and go on to become normal children.
The proposal was a part of the Governor's budget plan, but was removed last week for being a policy issue. Robson says quick action is needed to insure the parents of autistic children that the state legislature does care about them. The Beloit Democrat says the requirement is necessary because many insurance companies just aren't offering the coverage at this time.
Robson says similar requirements in Kentucky and Indiana have resulted in a one percent increase in insurance premiums.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 :56)
