Abstract
On 3 April 2014, Governor Gary Herbert signed into law a health insurance reform bill that requires private insurers to cover autism therapy. Specifically, SB57 requires state-regulated health plans to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. While early diagnosis and intervention can reduce the long-term cost of autism, families are finding themselves bankrupt in order to pay for ABA therapy. Currently, 37 states, and the District of Columbia have enacted insurance reform laws. Ensuring that children with autism receive proper therapy is a serious public health issue. Utah was right to pass reform legislation because it properly benefits and safeguards the interests of affected children in promoting their well-being and participation in society.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Autism Society. (2014). The budget crisis. Advocacy news. Autism Society. http://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/the-budget-crisis.html. Accessed 19 Feb 2014.
Autism Speaks. (2014a). State initiative map. Advocacy news. Autism Speaks. http://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/images/government_affairs/states_feb.2014.pdf. Accessed 19 Feb 2014.
Autism Speaks. (2014b). #35: Utah enacts autism insurance reform. Advocacy news. Autism Speaks. http://www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/35-utah-enacts-autism-insurance-reform. Accessed 28 Apr 2014.
Autism Speaks. (2014c). New research finds annual cost of autism has more than tripled to $126 billion in the U.S. and reached 34 billion in the U.K. Advocacy news. Autism Speaks. http://www.autismspeaks.org/about-us/press-releases/annual-cost-of-autism-triples. Accessed 19 Feb 2014.
Autism Speaks. (2014d). Salt Lake Mayor proposes Utah’s first autism aoverage. Advocacy news. Autism Speaks. http://www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/salt-lake-mayor-proposes-utahs-first-autism-coverage. Accessed 19 Feb 2014.
Fields, J. (2014). Testimony presented to the house appropriations subcommittee on labor, health and human services, education, and related agencies. Autism Speaks. http://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/docs/gr/as-jamithafields-_house_testimony.pdf. Accessed 25 Oct 2014.
May, H. (2014). Bill could mandate health insurance for autism therapy. The Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11238552.
Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions, and Professional Registration. (2014). Insurance coverage for autism treatment and applied behavior analysis. Resource document. https://insurance.mo.gov/consumers/autismFAQ/documents/2014AutismReport.pdf. Accessed 19 Feb 2014.
South Dakota Autism Study. (2014). South Dakota Department of Labor Regulation. http://dlr.sd.gov/autism/. Accessed 25 Oct 2014.
Stewart, K. (2014). Utah couple’s dilemma: Sell house or skip autism therapy for son? The Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57531131-78/autism-utah-therapy-griggs.html.csp?page=1. Accessed 27 Feb 2014.
Conflict of interest
There are no disclosures to be made or political interests associated with this article. The opinions are those of the author and do not represent those of William Beaumont Army Medical Center, the Army Medical Command, or the Department of Defense.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Utah has one of the highest rates of autism in the country. Prior to passage of SB57, families were going bankrupt trying to pay for applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy. Without therapy, children with autism struggle with basic human interactions and suffer long-term disability. Ensuring that autistic children have access to ABA therapy is a serious public health issue. Utah has succeeded in enacting legislative reform for autism thanks to the leadership of a physician. Physicians of all specialties, especially those with intimate experience treating autistic patients, can help to promote necessary legislative reform in this and other areas.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shiozawa, B.J. It’s About Time for Autism Reform Legislation in Utah. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 1495–1496 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2302-8
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2302-8