Autism coverage urged

Dozens of people wearing red and carrying signs arrived outside the Sawyer Building on Monday to show their support for Assembly Bill 162, which would require certain insurance plans to cover treatments and therapies for autism.

"There's an autism tsunami that's going to hit Nevada if these children don't get treatment,'' said Lorri Unumb, a South Carolina law professor who testified later in the day before the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor in support of the bill.

Unumb wrote South Carolina's law, which mandates that insurance companies licensed in that state provide up to $50,000 a year for behavioral health therapy to children up to age 12.

Ryan's Law, named for her 7-year-old son who has autism, also prohibits insurance companies from refusing other medical care to children because of their autism. The law, however, doesn't apply to individuals or companies that are self-insured.

Texas and Indiana have similar bills, Unumb testified before packed rooms in Las Vegas and Carson City.

Opponents of AB162 also testified, saying the mandate could prove too costly during Nevada's economic downturn. Some said the bill would disproportionately affect small businesses and could lead to a rise in premiums.

"This is a very worthy cause but just poor timing,'' said Valerie Clark, president of Clark and Associates of Nevada in Reno.

Clark said some companies, especially small businesses, are already struggling to provide health care coverage to employees. Mandating autism coverage in Nevada could result in small businesses dropping insurance plans altogether, she said.

Representatives from Nevadans for Affordable Health Care, Clark County Association of Health Underwriters and the Nevada Association of Health Plans shared similar concerns.

Jack Kim, representing the Nevada Association of Health Plans, said the organization is willing to work with lawmakers to amend the bill so that everyone could support it.

Claps and cheers from attendees in both Las Vegas and Carson City met Kim's comments.

Chuck Duarte, administrator of the state's Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, also asked that AB162 be amended to exempt Nevada Medicaid and Nevada Check Up.

Before the hearing, advocates and parents of children with autism held a press conference outside the Sawyer Building to share their stories and show support for the bill. Most spoke about the costs associated with their child's care.

Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders that cause substantial impairments in social interaction and communications. Many children don't respond to their names.

Children who are autistic typically begin showing signs by age 3. They often lose their ability to make sounds and walk, and their social skills disappear. Some exhibit more severe symptoms than others.

In some situations, children with autism don't know how to interpret others' feelings.

Each child with autism can accrue millions of dollars in costs to society over their lifetime, which is a reason early intervention is key, said Jan Crandy of the Autism Coalition of Nevada.

"There are lots of families out there struggling to provide for their children,'' said Assemblyman James Ohrenschall, D-Las Vegas. "That's what inspired me to introduce Assembly Bill 162."

Ohrenschall said the bill has the potential to improve thousands of Nevadans' lives.

Contact reporter Annette Wells at awells@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.