A Case for Ohio Mandate Legislation

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

At The Columbus Dispatch, Mark Swepston makes the case for insurance mandate legislation in Ohio:

HB 350 also applies to individual health-insurance plans that are grandfathered (in existence since March 2010); nongrandfathered individual plans already include autism coverage, thanks to executive action by Gov. John Kasich in 2012. Also thanks to Kasich, Ohio state employees already have autism benefits. So, in essence, this bill would level the playing field among all types of state-regulated plans in Ohio.

Some Ohioans have health plans not regulated by the state. Self-funded plans, typically offered by very large corporations, are regulated by the federal government and have control over the design of their benefits packages. Notably, numerous self-funded companies voluntarily include ABA coverage in their plans. These include AT&T, American Express, Bank of America, American Airlines, Walmart, Ernst & Young, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Starbucks, Volvo, Boeing, Wells Fargo, the federal government (civilian and military), Harvard University, Novartis, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Goldman Sachs, General Electric, General Motors and White Castle.

Thus, at present in Ohio, state employees have autism/ABA benefits. People with new individual plans have autism/ABA benefits. People who work for many large corporations, such as those listed above, have autism/ABA benefits. Even children on Medicaid have autism/ABA benefits. The Average Joe in Ohio does not have autism/ABA benefits. Average Joe’s child with autism is simply going without the treatment prescribed by his doctor, unless Average Joe happens to be independently wealthy. HB 350 would fix this.

Autism Speaks reports:

 On Wednesday, the Ohio House Committee on Government Affairs and Oversight passed HB 350 by a vote of 8-4.  The bill now moves to the House floor where it will be considered after the November elections.    

“I am pleased we have passed this important step with House Bill 350.   It is obvious that more and more people realize the necessity of providing this coverage for Ohio families.  I am truly grateful for the tremendous efforts by so many as we work to make Ohio the 45th state to enact autism insurance reform,” said bill sponsor, Representative Cheryl Grossman.

44 other states, including all states bordering Ohio, have enacted legislation similar to HB 350. Claims data demonstrate the average cost of required coverage is less than 50 cents per member per month.  The impact on health insurance premiums has been negligible and there has been no negative impact on small businesses.  

“This victory would not have been possible without an outpouring of support by grassroots advocates and community leaders” said Mike Wasmer, director of state government affairs at Autism Speaks. 

Insurance Bill in Ohio

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

Joshua Lim reports at WCPO in Cincinnati:

State employees and individuals under the Affordable Care Act gained coverage for autism spectrum disorder through an executive order issued by Gov. John Kasich in 2012.

The governor’s action covered certain state-regulated plans but not all, leaving some people without coverage to pay for autism-related treatments, which can cause “thousands and thousands of dollars.”

To help [autism mom Doreena] Beebe and others like her, two state representatives are proposing a bill that would expand autism coverage in Ohio to include all state-regulated plans, incorporating large group plans and grandfathered plans in the individual and small group markets.

...

The bill also prohibits a health plan provider from terminating or from refusing to renew coverage solely because the individual is diagnosed with or has received treatment for an autism spectrum disorder. The bill only affects fully insured plans.

The bill would impact about 1,700 individuals with autism and their families if it becomes law, said Rep. Cheryl Grossman, R-Grove City.

“I believe it’s time for Ohio to step forward and make sure that we do this,” Grossman said. “If we can help make them successful in their lives and not dependent on the government to provide for them, I think it’s a small investment for them to be able to succeed.”

...
If the bill becomes law, about one-third of the state would have insurance coverage for autism, said Michael Wasmer, the associate director of state government affairs for Autism Speaks.

“It clearly is a fiscally responsible thing to do,” Wasmer said. “We are saving the state a tremendous amount of money that they would otherwise be paying for things like intensive special education and adult support.”

Autism and the 2016 Race

In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the issue's role in presidential campaigns.  As I explain in the book, Hillary Clinton has a long history with the issue, and has issued an autism policy statement for the 2016 campaign.  I have also posted about Kasich,  Bush, Rubio, Christie, Paul, and Trump.

James Trout reports at The RespectAbility Report:

During the summer, my first event as a reporter was the Road to Majority Conference in Washington, D.C. After seeing Ohio Gov. John Kasich talk about how as governor he made sure that people on the Autism Spectrum would not be denied access to healthcare, I had an opportunity to talk him. I told him that as a person on the Autism Spectrum, I was grateful for him to mention people on the Autism Spectrum as people who need to be “brought out of the shadows.” He then bent over, hugged me, and told me “God is looking after you.” It was a true and genuine moment.

In New Hampshire and Iowa, I attended numerous town halls where I had the opportunity to ask many candidates questions on employment for people with disabilities, event and website accessibility, crime rate, and other important topics. From Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, and from former Florida Gov.Jeb Bush to Kasich, I helped draw attention to important issues, all while educating both the candidate and the press who were covering the campaign.

It took three attempts to speak to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during my New Hampshire travels. The first two events were in small places that were not easily accessible. During the third, a town hall at the Pelham VFW Post, I was not called on to ask a question. However, I had my opportunity during the rope line, andChristie talked about his state’s Employment First policy.

Now, I’m in Iowa covering disability issues leading up to the Iowa caucuses. I’m now being recognized by candidates! Last week,Kasich publicly commended me for my work in being a self-advocate and bringing these issues to the table. I also am working with local disability leaders to press candidates to not only talk about our issues but also to walk the walk by making websites and events more accessible.