By Joe Vardon
The Columbus Dispatch Tuesday April 30, 2013 11:14 AM
State workers and their families will receive insurance coverage for autism treatment beginning July 1 as a result of negotiations between the Kasich administration and labor unions.
The two sides agreed to change contract language outlining employees health plans so that state workers and their families would be covered for physical, speech and occupational therapy, clinical therapeutic intervention, and mental and behavioral health outpatient services related to autism treatment, according to a news release.
Late last year Kasich signed a directive to include autism services in Ohio's "essential health-benefit" package that federal law requires in every state beginning in 2014.
He also said Ohio would make autism services available to state employees and their 40,000 covered children.
This is another example of how State of Ohio labor and management representatives are working together and taking positive steps to impact the health outcomes for State of Ohio employees and their families, said Chris Mabe, president of the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association.
For families that have autism in their lives, it can be a tough path, said Bob Blair, director for the states Department of Administrative Services. If they can get help, its expensive, and that cost puts additional strains on relationships and family life.
We can do better and Im proud that we are doing better with this agreement to provide access to this important care.
Originally posted here:
State workers' insurance to cover autism beginning July 1