Legislator Preparing Autism Insurance Bill

A state representative from Jefferson County wants to require insurance companies to provide additional benefits for families with autistic children.Scott Brinkman says he will introduce legislation to that effect in next session of the General Assembly. The legislation would mandate the additional coverage and Brinkman estimates it wouldn't raise anyone's rates by more than one or two dollars."It has a very minimal impact, so it's a situation where we can help this discreet population and the cost is spread out among a much broader population and is not burdensome at all in terms of the financial aspects of the benefit," he says.Additionally, Brinkman says the extra benefits will lessen the difficulties autistic children face when they become adults."The whole goal is to try to help these children maximize their skills so that as they age out of the school system and become adults, the supports they need are less pronounced and they're more self-sufficient," he says.Brinkman made his comments after a Louisville Forum meeting about autism.