Georgia Bill Would Mandate Autism Coverage

Melissa and Arthur Solares, with children Carmen
and Arturo.

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Advocates are expecting a fight over Georgia legislation to require insurance coverage for early intervention care for children with autism.
But this time they’re hoping to win.
Ava’s Law, which state Rep. Ben Harbin, R-Evans, plans to file this week, would mandate insurance companies pay for expensive, intensive services for children diagnosed with autism.
Currently, insurance companies in Georgia won’t pay for specialized therapy, including Applied Behavior Analysis, for children with autism. Parents must either accept the diagnosis and rely on minimal special needs services from the public school system, or pay for therapy that can improve the child’s abilities at an estimated $30,000 to $50,000 per year.