Autism mandate passes in the House

By MIKE DENNISON

 The Montana House Wednesday strongly endorsed a bill requiring health insurance polices in Montana to cover treatment for children with autism disorders, moving it one step closer to becoming state law.

“It’s not every day when this body has the privilege to create a new future for the kids of Montana,” said Rep. Kendall Van Dyk, D-Billings, the bill’s chief sponsor in the House. “But there are some issues that transcend ideology and transcend politics, and this is one of those issues.”

The House voted 77-23 for Senate Bill 234, which says as of July, health insurance policies sold in Montana would have to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism disorders for covered children up to age 18.

The coverage could be limited to $50,000 a year for kids 8 years old or younger and $20,000 a year for children ages nine to 18.

After a final, binding House vote today, SB234 goes to Gov. Brian Schweitzer for his signature.

Autism is a neurobiological disorder that impairs one’s ability to relate to others. Autistic children might obsessively arrange objects or insist on following very specific routines. It’s estimated that one in 150 children are diagnosed with some form of autism.

SB234 has been dubbed “Brandon’s bill” for 5-year-old Brandon Simonsen of Billings, whose mother, Laura Simonsen, has been a primary force behind the measure. Laura Simonsen watched from the House gallery during Wednesday’s debate.

She has testified before legislative committees about how her family spent thousands of dollars on autistic treatment for Brandon after discovering that their health insurance covered only a portion of the costs.

The House also removed a provision in the bill that would have ended the coverage mandate in December 2011.

Rep. Jon Sonju, R-Kalispell, who proposed the removal of the language, said that if the Legislature is going to mandate the coverage it should do so without an expiration date.

“Either we’re going to tackle this problem of autism in this Legislature or (we’re not),” he said. “Let’s mandate it on these insurance companies to do what they should be doing.”

Supporters of SB234, sponsored by Sen. Kim Gillan, D-Billings, said the coverage will provide early intervention for kids with autism disorders, giving them a chance to be able to attend school and have a relatively normal life.

Opponents of the SB234 said Wednesday that they’re concerned that the mandate will drive up health insurance costs for everyone in Montana and make it unaffordable for some.

“I’m gravely concerned each time we mandate things,” said Rep. Bob Wagner, R-Harrison. “There are hundreds of thousands of people who are this close to not being able to afford their insurance.”

Yet supporters said sometimes the Legislature needs to do what’s right, even though it may cost society a bit more.

“There are times when our compassion and our humanity have to outweigh our concern about what it’s going to cost,” said Rep. Bill McChesney, D-Miles City. “And this is one of those times. For (these parents) to be told ,’No, you can’t have help,’ is unconscionable.”