Mandated insurance coverage for autism brings up debate
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Mandated insurance coverage for autism brings up debate

Date: December 3, 2009
By: Rebecca Stephen
State Capitol Bureau

Intro:  While Governor Nixon supports the autism bill, others are thinking about its high cost.
RunTime:  0:32
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Insurance companies have doubts about the bill to mandate health care coverage for autistic children.

Missouri Insurance Coalition spokesman Calvin Call says the autism bill would cause a three percent increase to insurance policy holders across the board.   

Actuality:  CALL.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "The rest of the public who are currently struggling to pay their insurance premiums may get priced out of the market."

Republican Senator Delbert Scott says the people the insurance premium increase will effect are the ones who can afford it least.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Rebecca Stephen.

Intro:  One Senator questions how to monitor service providers if the state mandates health care coverage for those with autism.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: A proposal to mandate health care coverage for autistic children is going to come before the Missouri Senate for the second consecutive session.

Republican Senator Delbert Scott says to eliminate his concerns with the bill there would need to be a certified training program to provide equal and competent service across the state.

Actuality:  SCOTT.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "My concern last year was that the mandate was to provide a service with which there's not licensing or oversight of those providing the service."

Scott also says in any other area where insurance coverage is mandated there is consistent treatment.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Rebecca Stephen.