Months after they were rebuffed by state lawmakers, the parents of autistic children hope an interim legislative study will give them the forum they seek to demonstrate that health insurers should be required to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism.
The study, tentatively scheduled to begin Sept. 18, will gather information on the nature and causes of the brain development disorder, as well as insurance issues and state-supported services for autistic children and their families, said state Rep. Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, one of several lawmakers who requested the study.
"What services are currently being provided? What services are missing?" Steele said. "We're working with a whole host of legislators to see what specific issues related to autism that they want covered."
Before adjourning in May, the Republican-controlled state House refused to schedule a vote on legislation passed by the Senate that would have required health insurers to cover autism. The measure was similar to mandates approved in six other states, including Texas, in the past two years.
The measure known as Nick's Law, named for 10-year-old autism sufferer Nick Rohde, received bipartisan support in the Senate but became politically charged when House GOP opponents claimed the autism mandate would drive up the cost of health insurance in Oklahoma and make it unaffordable for many families.
Supporters who have vowed to make Nick's Law an issue during the 2009 Oklahoma Legislature said they welcome the interim study.
"We want to have an honest discussion about why Nick's Law is needed in Oklahoma. We did not have that discussion, that debate, last session," said Wayne Rohde, Nick's father.
Autism is a developmental disability in children that affects their communication skills and behavior. The parents of autistic children have said treatment and early intervention can help autistic children become productive citizens.
But some treatments cost $5,000 a month and not everyone can afford them. Supporters of the bill have said refusing to require health insurers to cover treatment for autistic children places the burden of caring for them on taxpayers when they become adults.
"Without that we're looking for a state run and paid for health care system," Wayne Rohde said. Such a system would be more expensive and less efficient than private providers, he said.
"The insurance lobby does not want mandates, forcing everybody onto the state," he said.
About 400 children are diagnosed with autism each year in the state, and the diagnosis is becoming more frequent, Rohde said.
"We have an epidemic nationwide and in Oklahoma," he said.
House leaders have said a cost analysis of the autism mandate indicates it would increase the cost of state employee health insurance by $6 million a year. But an analysis by a Pennsylvania-based autism advocacy group found that Nick's Law likely would cost Oklahoma health insurance ratepayers only $1.66 per month.
"This mandate doesn't have the financial impact they're thinking," Rohde said. "We know that's not the case, especially in Oklahoma."
Steele said the study will last several days and information gathered will be used to develop legislation that will be considered next year.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
