Article Contributed on: 6/4/2009 5:32:23 PM
DENVER- A landmark, bi-partisan bill expanding the treatment of autism was signed by Governor Bill Ritter at a large ceremony that included many Colorado families living with Autism.
Senate Bill 244 was sponsored byState Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield) in the House, and originated with Senate President Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont). The legislation ensures that young Coloradans diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder receive important treatments early on so they can live safe, productive, and healthy lives.
One in every 169 school age children in Colorado has Autism or an Autism Spectrum Disorder. The diagnosis of autism is growing rapidly; in the past decade alone, the U.S. population has grown 13 percent, and the recorded incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders has grown 173 percent. Autism is extremely expensive to treat; the estimated lifetime cost of caring for a person with autism ranges from $3.5 to $5 million. However, if the appropriate early intervention treatments are applied, up to two-thirds of the cost for treatment can be avoided.
"Early treatment works, period. Unfortunately, for too many Colorado families, early intervention services just haven't been an option up to this point. They're simply too expensive and insurance wouldn't cover them. But now, thousands of families who could not otherwise afford care for their kids have access to the most cutting-edge treatments available."
SB 244 requires health insurance providers to cover the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders - including Autism, Asperger's and Atypical Autism - for children. Plans will cover as much as $34,000 in costs for the most innovative treatments, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech, physical and occupational therapy, and any other treatments that are deemed appropriate, effective, and efficient for children up to eight years old. Plans are also required to cover as much as $12,000 for those same therapies for children between nine and 19 years old. The legislation requires health care professionals to possess appropriate certification and credentialing.
With the signing of SB 244, Colorado becomes only the 11th state requiring insurance providers to cover early intervention treatments for autism.
"This bill will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people with autism and their families," said Betty Lehman, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Colorado and a key architect of the bill who was in attendance today. "It will also alleviate some of the financial burden on the Education, Medicaid, and Human Services systems in our state, and that's really important."
Following the Autism bill signing, Governor Ritter signed Senate Bill 133, which increases funding for the Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund. That bill was sponsored by Rep. Primavera and State Senator Nancy Spence (R-Centennial).
The Colorado TBI Program and Trust Fund were created in 2002 to improve those affected by severe brain injuries. The well-used program receives funding from surcharges on traffic violations. SB 133 increases surcharges for some traffic violations - including driving under the influence - by $5.
"I've had a lot of jobs in my life, but the most meaningful have always been working with traumatic brain injury victims," said Rep. Primavera. "The triumph of the human spirit is overwhelming; helping and watching these victims learn to walk again, swallow again, and talk again is testament to their strength and determination. I am always happy to promote bills that help traumatic brain injury victims."
Money from the fund is allocated so that 65 percent goes to services for people with traumatic brain injuries, 30 percent supports research into TBI, and five percent provides education about TBI.
The new law, which passed the House unanimously, is expected to allow 250 more Coloradans to receive critical services.