They are changing the definition of autism to a nerobiological illness then maybe insurance would cover it.

Business group wants veto of autism-insurance bill
Association says employers should have the option of whether to insure costly intervention

By GARY SCHARRER
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau
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AUSTIN — Parents of children with autism cheered when Texas lawmakers revived a dead bill they say will give families hope, save some from bankruptcy and reduce long-term costs for taxpayers.

But the Texas Association of Business wants Gov. Rick Perry to veto House Bill 1919 because of an amendment that changes the definition of autism from a mental illness to a neurobiological illness and requires insurance companies to cover treatment for 3- to 5-year-olds with the disease.

The autism-insurance measure passed the Senate but languished in the House until lawmakers approved it as an amendment to insurance-related legislation just hours before the legislative session ended May 28.

"Somebody finally heard us," Cynthia Singleton of Houston said after legislators approved the amendment. "Parents have been struggling for years to be heard and, I think, somebody finally cared enough to help make it happen."

Financing treatment
Singleton said she and her husband have spent more than $100,000 on treatment for their 8-year-old son with autism. They financed the treatment by selling a four-bedroom home in West Houston and renting a three-bedroom apartment for more than two years.

Most families can't afford the expensive, intensive intervention that offers some level of success if started early.

"What we know about brain development is that when children are very young, their brains are very plastic. You can shape and change how the brain functions," said Theresa Diaz, president of the Autism Society of Greater San Antonio. "At its heart, autism (occurs when) the brain processes information completely differently from a typically developing brain."

She has a 5-year-old son with autism.

Intensive and early intervention helps the brain to rewire itself to the point that "children will still have autism, but they most likely will be able to be much more functional," Diaz said.

But the costs are staggering without insurance coverage.

"We have families all over town who are declaring bankruptcy left, right and center because they are just trying to figure out how to get their children to function," Diaz said.

Governor mulls veto
Perry spokesman Robert Black said the governor and his staff have not decided whether to veto the bill.

"It's not about autism. It's not about brain injuries. It's not about cervical cancer," said the TAB's Shelton Green. "We want to avoid placing mandates on employers, on their health-benefit policies."

Such requirements increase costs for employers who already struggle with annual insurance-premium increases, he said.

"We want to leave the discretion up to the employers and let them decide what health plans (to provide) and not the state," he said.

The number of Texas children with autism has nearly doubled in four years, reaching 17,282 in the 2005-06 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency. But experts contend the count is vastly understated.

Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, has been trying to pass the autism-insurance bill for six years.

"Not only will this legislation save the state billions of dollars in the next decade alone, but it will bring renewed hope to many of these children and their parents," Lucio said. "We can honestly say we are giving children an opportunity for a more independent life."

gscharrer@express-news.net