Gov. John Kasich signed a bill on Wednesday, mandating private health insurance to cover autism-related expenses.
Reggie Fields, the co-founder of the Living Beyond Autism Foundation, said that the signing on Wednesday was a huge step forward.
It is going to give an opportunity for families to get access to certain types of care that will be covered by their insurance now, Fields said.
Fields son Grant was diagnosed with autism when he was 3.
He said that several years ago, information about autism was not widely available, and medical services were not covered by insurance. Autism diagnoses have risen nearly 80 percent in the past decade.
You know a lot of things we wanted to do for our child just wasnt financially feasible for us, Fields said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that one out of 88 children have symptoms of autism.
The new law will provide access to early childhood therapy for thousands in Ohio beginning next year.
It will mandate that private health insurance cover Applied Behavior Analysis for autism.. Benefits also now are available to state employees.
Business groups, like the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, remain opposed to the new law.
Originally posted here:
Kasich Signs Bill Mandating Autism-Related Insurance Coverage