• Home
  • News
    • Politics / Govt
    • Legislature
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
    • Archives
  • Sports
    • Badgers
    • Packers
      • Titletown Report
    • Brewers
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support

Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Politics / Govt / Governor urges action on autism mandate

Governor urges action on autism mandate

February 3, 2009 By WRN Contributor

Gov. Doyle stands with an autistic boy at the Capitol. For many families, having a child diagnosed with autism can be emotionally devastating. Governor Jim Doyle says it can also take a massive financial toll because most insurance companies don't cover treatments for the disease. As a result, he says some families spend over $50,000 each year to pay for treatments. However, Doyle says many children go without treatment if their family can't afford the care.

Doyle wants lawmakers to act quickly on legislation that would require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism-related medical treatments. The Governor says it's needed to provide the care and support the children need and deserve, and also help relieve the financial squeeze on their families.

The Governor says requiring the coverage would also ease the burden on a state program that provides waivers to help families pay for treatment. The program currently has an 18-month waiting list, but Doyle estimates mandated coverage would help to remove at least one-third of those signed up right away.

The state Senate approved the bill last session, but Assembly Republicans blocked its passage. The GOP argued the state should instead focus on expanding the waiver program.

The legislation will receive a Capitol hearing next week. 

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:05)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Politics / Govt



Featured Stories

Evers delivers State of the State address

Abortion rights rally highlights Wisconsin Supreme Court race

Bail and benefits questions will be on Wisconsin’s April statewide ballot

Evers issues promised TikTok ban

Johnson, Baldwin both vote ‘yes’ to avert rail strike

TwitterFacebook

Sports Headlines

Giannis breaks franchise scoring record, Bucks beat Nets in OT

Wisconsin’s Davis declares for NBA Draft

Badgers to face Arizona State in Las Vegas Bowl

Williams likely out for the season with broken hand

Packers releasing TE Jace Sternberger

More Sports

Tweets by @WRN

Get our news delivered to your inbox:

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC