Health care providers oppose the autism insurance mandate
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Health care providers oppose the autism insurance mandate

Date: January 19, 2010
By: Rebecca Stephen
State Capitol Bureau

Intro:  High costs have led some health care providers to oppose this year's attempt at an autism insurance coverage mandate.
RunTime:  0:31
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Health care providers ask for revision of the bill mandating autism health care coverage during a Senate Committee.

United Health Care spokesman William Shoehigh says the bill's advocates have contradicting opinions on how much the mandate would cost.

Actuality:  SHOEH1.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "If it is a tsunami then I would strongly urge that we put in language that would allows small business to opt-in this program."

Autism Speaks spokeswoman Lorri Unumb says other states with similar legislation have seen little fiscal impact.

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

Intro:  Both the House and Senate heard contradicting testimonies on the cost of an autism health care coverage mandate.
RunTime:  0:36
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: People in favor of mandating autism health care coverage spoke of both a tsunami and a trickle of costs during the committee hearings.

United Health Care spokesman William Shoehigh says he would like to see the bill revised in case of high costs.

Actuality:  SHOEH2.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "We would argue a strongly for an opt-in model that allows small business to decide what's appropriate for them, and until we get a handle on these costs, are they truly a tsunami or is it a trickle?"

Department of Insurance Director John Huff says Missouri's insurance market is stable and can support the autism insurance mandate.

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