CAPITOL BRIEFINGS: House panel takes on autism insurance bills

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LANSING - Advocates of legislation to require insurance coverage for treatment of autism are hoping the new year brings new action.

House Bill 5527, sponsored by Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee, and House Bill 5529, sponsored by Richard Ball, R-Bennington Township, would require health insurers and health maintenance organizations to cover autism treatments that include intensive early intervention, behavioral analysis and therapy, and speech, occupational and physical therapy.

Backers say the bills, which had a committee hearing in December, are important to address needs fostered by a disorder that affects one in 150 children, impairing communication, behavior and social interaction.

"The need is huge," said Stephanie Harlan, director of autism connections at the Judson Center in Royal Oak, a nonprofit agency that has created an online forum to create a statewide coalition for the Michigan autism community.

The Michigan Autism Coalition Targeting Insurance, Options and Networking plans first to work toward insurance coverage for individuals with autism.

"Most autism experts recommend very intensive services — twenty to forty hours a week of therapy services," Harlan said. "It is very costly, but the payoff comes when you give the services to a child very young ... often times they won't need the services the rest of their life."

Wendy Block, director of health policy and human resources at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said she is sympathetic to people facing the challenges of autism. But mandated benefits such as required coverage for autism treatments add to the cost of health insurance that is already difficult for many employers to afford, she said.

Harlan said other states that have enacted similar legislation have not seen significant increases in premiums, and she said such coverage could benefit employers by reducing the time employees take off work to care for an autistic child.

The bills are before the House Health Policy Committee, chaired by Angerer. The committee last month approved companion measures, House Bills 5526 and 5528, which create a state autism research fund and provide an option on Michigan's income-tax form for people to contribute to the fund.

Crain's was unable last week to reach Angerer for comment.

Touch-screen testing

The Michigan Secretary of State's office has launched automated systems for drivers of commercial vehicles to take their licensing tests.

Instead of paper exams, commercial driver's license applicants at 29 branch offices can take the test on touch-screen kiosks that provide immediate results and eliminate the need for branch employees to correct the tests.

A $450,000 federal grant paid for the 100-plus kiosks, some of which are in 15 Southeast Michigan branches. The program could expand, depending on grant funding.

Comings & goings

*Jack Kresnak, former reporter for the Detroit Free Press, is the new president and CEO of Lansing advocacy organization Michigan's Children. He replaces Sharon Claytor Peters, who is resigning.

* Jon Braeutigam, acting deputy treasurer and chief investment officer in the Michigan Department of Treasury, will permanently fill those positions. He replaces Jacqueline Johnson, who retired in 2007.

* James Hallan, president and COO of the Michigan Retailers Association and Retailers Mutual Insurance Co., earlier this month became president and CEO of both organizations. In the CEO role, he replaces Larry Meyer, who retired Dec. 31.

* Karen Anderson, quality assurance officer for Capital Area Michigan Works!, has been named COO of the Michigan Works! Association. She replaces Luann Dunsford, who is now CEO.

* Jennifer Spike, legislative director for the House Republican Caucus, has been named chief of staff to House Minority Leader Craig DeRoche, R-Novi. She replaces James Holcomb, now with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

Source:
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