The ages of autistic children and their health insurance coverage is under fire in the Missouri State House.
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The ages of autistic children and their health insurance coverage is under fire in the Missouri State House.

Date: February 16, 2010
By: Allie Spillyards
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB1311 HB1341

Intro:  Health care companies may soon be required to cover behavioral treatment for children with autism but lawmakers debate who to include.
RunTime:  0:38
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: One Missouri House member says autism is the only biological disorder not covered by insurance companies.

Representative Dwight Sharnhorst says he wants to change that for children 21 and under.

Actuality:  SHARN1.WAV
Run Time:  00:14
Description: "These children if undiagnosed, if untreated over their lifetime, will have an impact of probably 3 million dollars per person to society in lost productivity, in needs of treatment down the road, psychiatric care."

The House met Thursday to debate what age group House Bill 1311 should cover.

One representative proposed lowering the age limit to 18 while another said 15 is old enough.

Reporting from the State Capital, I'm Allie Spillyards.

Intro:  Health care coverage for children with autism may help slow the disorder but lawmakers question how long insurance companies should provide coverage.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Missouri House members debated Thursday, a bill that would require insurance companies to cover behavior treatment for children suffering with autism.

Senator Dwight Sharnhorst says early treatment with applied behavior analysis, or A.B.A. can help curb the epidemic of Autism Spectrum Diseases.

Actuality:  SHARN2.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "With early intervention of this and with significant A.B.A. treatment, the 52, at least 50 percent, I've heard as much as 62 percent of these children will be mainstreamed in time into our schools and will live a happy and productive life."

Opponents argue that insurance companies shouldn't provide treatment past the age of 15 - especially if early treatment prevents problems later in life.

Reporting from the State Capital, I'm Allie Spillyards.