Washington Should Insure the Futures of Children with Autism
Look for the impact of lack of insurance coverage for autism treatment extends to all state taxpayers, who ultimately account for special education and lifelong care and support base for people with autism who were unable to take advantage of empirically supported treatments shown to effective for improving outcomes.
Neither families nor the taxpayers win as a treatable condition – especially one as widespread as autism, which affects one in every 110 children and is the fastest growing disability in the country – is not covered by insurance. Studies show that requiring insurance companies to cover autism treatment would increase premiums by about half of 1 percent – far less than the billions in savings that are possible when people were treated. Washington has about 12,000 children diagnosed with autism, and the potential cost to taxpayers of untreated autism is significant.
It is estimated that an early diagnosis and intervention by the insurance would cost the state billions in life savings for the current population of children with autism. Most families simply can not afford to treat their autistic children without insurance. Treatment, which often requires intensive one-on-one behavioral therapies may cost as much as $ 50,000 per year. They can succeed in school, make friends and be participating members of their community – even taxpayers.