A new effort will be made next year to require insurance companies to provide coverage for treatment of autism. Some important supporters of the bill don’t think the insurance companies can block the next effort. The state senate approved a bill this year but but bill failed to make it through the House.
Senate sponsor Scott Rupp of Wentzville, who got the bill through the Senate, says insurance companies found some influential people in the House and were able to stop the bill there. But he thinks the insurance companies know they won’t be able to stop the bill next year. "It was reaffirmed to me the resolve..that these families have…They have resolve; I have resolve; the senate has resolve," he said.
Governor Nixon supports the issue and has indicated he could include the legislation in a special session call, if he decides to call a special session.
Another indication that insurance companies will have a harder time stopping the legislation next year comes from House Speaker Ron Richard who plans to call an interim committee to find a way to get that coverage.
The Senate had its own Blue Ribbon autism panel two years ago. Insurance coverage is one of several recommendations made by that group.
Upl,oad BP interview with Scott Rupp
