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Sunday, March 26, 2017

Insurance Push in Alabama

The Politics of Autism includes an extensive discussion of insurance legislation in the states.

Now that Iowa has passed an autism insurance mandate, Alabama is one of only four states without one. Trisha Powell Crain reports at AL.com: 
Autism advocates are trying a new way to raising awareness about the need for insurance reform. Five billboards calling for "Insurance for Autism Now" are now up: three in Birmingham, one in Albertville and one in Montgomery.
The Autism Society of Alabama paid for the billboards to show their support for HB284, a bill calling for mandated health insurance coverage for behavioral therapy for eligible children with autism.
Opponents say insurance mandates are bad for business owners because it drives up the cost of insurance for their employees.
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This is the first time the Autism Society of Alabama has used billboards this way, according to executive director Melanie Jones. "It's a grassroots advocacy effort," she said, that started with parents and advocates who wanted to let others in the community understand what not having insurance means for their families. 
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