Health insurers regulated by the state would have to cover treatment for autism under a bill that has passed the House and moved to the Senate.

Rep. Dwight Scharnhorst (R-Manchester) said during his opening remarks on the House floor that his bill would mandate the coverage of a wide range of disorders, called the autism spectrum disorder. HCS HB 1311&1341 passed the House Thursday on a 135-to-18 vote. [Read more...]

A controversial bill a year ago gets new life in the House, which has given tentative approval to a requirement that health insurers cover autism.

A year ago, concerns about the impact on health insurance premiums kept the bill from coming to the House floor for debate. This year, a measure stands on the doorstep of approval.

Sponsor Dwight Scharnhorst, a representative from Manchester, made his final plea prior to the voice vote on HCS HB 1311&1341. [Read more...]