House lawmakers unanimously approve autism insurance bill
House lawmakers unanimously approved a bill to mandate most private insurers to cover medically necessary behavioral therapy for children with autism. The vote, 100 to 0, sent a strong message to autism advocates their voices were heard.
Rep. Jim Patterson, R-Meridianville, sponsored the bill, HB284, saying he wants to do the right thing for families who need help paying for the sometimes expensive therapy.
Introducing the bill on the House floor, Patterson said, "We're going to do something good for families in Alabama. This is what we come to Montgomery to do."
Alabama is one of five states with no requirement that insurance companies cover applied behavior analysis (ABA), the most common and scientifically supported treatment for autism.
Read more: http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/house_lawmakers_unanimously_ap.html
