WEST BLOOMFIELD – Standing alongside children with autism and their families, State Representatives Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield) and Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills) today launched a campaign to support the growing number of families struggling with the costs of autism care by requiring health insurance companies to provide coverage for the treatment of the disorder. In support of National Autism Awareness Month, Brown and Barnett joined fellow lawmakers in launching an online petition for residents who would like to show their support for the plan and raise autism awareness.
"Every day, more and more Michigan families are faced with their children being diagnosed with autism and it is simply unacceptable for health care companies to refuse coverage and let the quality of life of these children be an afterthought," Brown said. "While health care companies cover prevalent diseases like cancer and diabetes, they continue to discriminate against autism. We can't stand on the sideline as these companies turn their backs on autistic children who may never reach their full potential without treatment."
Autism, which refers to the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders, is characterized by difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction and repetitive behaviors. According to the Michigan Department of Education, an estimated 13,839 children in Michigan had some form of autism in 2008. Between 2001 and 2006, the number of children in Michigan public schools diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder increased by more than 100 percent, according to the Autism Society of Michigan.
Currently, most health insurance companies cover only screening for the disorder, leaving families with autistic children to bear the high costs of treatment on their own. Treating autism can cost a single family $50,000 or more annually.
"With thousands of families across Michigan struggling to come to terms with the care and treatment of a loved one
with autism, it is unfathomable that insurance companies are not providing the necessary coverage," Barnett said.
"Insurance companies should not be in the business of denying care to families that need it. This should not be a
partisan issue. It's just the right thing to do."
Residents can sign the petition at www.housedems.com/petitions by clicking on the autism petition
graphic. While on the site, residents also will be able to share personal stories about how autism has affected them and
their families.
Last week, the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by House Majority Floor Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) that will encourage greater research into the causes and treatments of the disorder. The plan will create the Autism Research Fund to research the causes and treatments to the disorder, as well as establish a new income tax checkoff box to allow Michigan residents to voluntarily designate a portion of their tax return to the fund.