(SACRAMENTO) – A bill by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) requiring insurance companies to provide appropriate and equitable coverage to patients with autism spectrum disorders passed the Senate today on a 33-to-1 vote.
SB 1563 requires the Department of Managed Health Care, in conjunction with the Department of Insurance, to bring together key stakeholders and make sure that the current law requiring health insurers to provide medically necessary treatment for autism is being followed.
Experts estimate that there are 187,000 Californians with this condition and presently the state´s regional centers serve over 37,000 individuals with autism and are adding 11 new cases every day.
"Families are told their kids should get their treatment from regional centers, supported by taxpayers. That´s a cost shift we can´t afford," Perata said. "This bill is an important step in making sure that medical treatment – as required by law – is accessible and available to adults and kids with autism."
SB 1563 is one of eight bills introduced this year as a result of the report issued by the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism.
SB 1563 requires the Department of Managed Health Care, in conjunction with the Department of Insurance, to bring together key stakeholders and make sure that the current law requiring health insurers to provide medically necessary treatment for autism is being followed.
Experts estimate that there are 187,000 Californians with this condition and presently the state´s regional centers serve over 37,000 individuals with autism and are adding 11 new cases every day.
"Families are told their kids should get their treatment from regional centers, supported by taxpayers. That´s a cost shift we can´t afford," Perata said. "This bill is an important step in making sure that medical treatment – as required by law – is accessible and available to adults and kids with autism."
SB 1563 is one of eight bills introduced this year as a result of the report issued by the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism.
