A bill requiring that accident and health insurance policies cover the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder has moved forward in New York.

Neil D. Breslin

Recently, the New York State Senate approved S 7000B, sponsored by Sen. Neil Breslin (D-Delmar), who also serves as the chairman of the chamber’s insurance committee. In a statement, Breslin called the bill “groundbreaking legislation” that is “setting the bar for a new national standard for treatment and services.”

Several states nationwide have debated similar measures this year, with only a few becoming law. Unlike those measures, however, Breslin’s bill sets no financial cap for coverage, allowing only evidence-based and clinically proven treatments to be covered for the entire life span of the individual.

The measure now moves to the New York Assembly and if passed there, to the desk of Gov. David A. Paterson for his signature. If that occurs, New York would become the 21^st state to mandate autism coverage.

Breslin’s office noted that despite research demonstrating that early intervention and intensive behavioral therapies can lead to significant improvement in the quality of life for those with autism, both diagnosis and treatment are excluded from health coverage in New York.

“This law would restore the voice of those indirectly affected by autism,” Breslin said. “Many families paying out-of-pocket for autism treatments risk their homes and the educations of their unaffected children, mortgaging their entire futures for something that should be covered by basic health insurance.”