Candlelight Vigil to Support an Autism Insurance Bill in Arizona

Many autism and Asperger’s parents groups in Arizona are trying to get a bill out of committee that would require insurance companies to provide insurance for autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS and other spectrum conditions. Arizona would not be the first state requiring such coverage but would most definitely be one of only a handful of state’s mandating this. This is a very important topic for me. In Arizona, only children with a diagnosis of “autistic disorder” qualify for services past the age of six. What this means, for me, is that any therapy needed for my son comes out of my pocket. At sessions that can average $100/hour, the money adds up quickly. If this bill were to pass then a huge financial burden would be lifted from my shoulders, and from the shoulders of many other parents in Arizona.

A candlelight vigil to support this autism insurance bill will be held on January 29, 2008 at the Arizona State Capitol. Organizers are hoping that with a large turnout legislators will see just how many people are affected by autism spectrum conditions in the state of Arizona. I will be sure to post updates on the topic as they become available.

This year, my husband’s company offerend an insurance plan that would provide therapy for children with developmental disorders through the age of six. I am glad for their forward-thinking but unfortunately for us my son is already six. Had this plan been available a year ago we likely could have saved thousands upon thousands of dollars.

Subscribe to the Mutterings of a Mindless Mommy RSS feed!