HB 2847 has passed both houses of the Arizona Legislature and awaits Governor Napolitano’s signature.

Once the bill is law – I prefer to think positively since I don’t know the Gov. Napolitano’s opinion – it will require most health insurance to cover autism treatment for Arizonans, including speech and behavioral therapies, for dependents under age 18.

This bill exempts insurance provided or subsidized by smaller, mom-and-pop-type companies. And of course, it’s of no help to the uninsured or those who purchase their insurance coverage individually. But it’s still good news.

I know nothing is perfect, but I do have a problem:

We all know that once a child with autism turns 18, the autism goes away and there’s no need for coverage, right? Give me a break, because this bill won’t.

Don’t get me wrong, the bill is great news. But why doesn’t it continue coverage for older children? My 22-year-old son is still my husband’s and my dependent and is covered by our insurance since our employer allows it. Yes, he works, but the job is part time. He lives with us. He’s doing OK, but I’ve been wondering lately if he needs more speech therapy. Maybe our insurance will cover it anyway – some do – but it isn’t a requirement.

There are a lot of people in our position. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System would probably cover some therapy for those adults who need it, but if we have insurance for which we pay a part of the premium (the employer pays a larger part), shouldn’t that cover speech therapy for an adult with autism?

OK, I’m done with my rant.

I still think this bill is great news. For one thing, the Legislature can’t take a second or third step if it doesn’t take the first one. For another, this will be huge for many families who are going broke trying to provide the best for their children. And with more children being diagnosed with autism now than when my son was young, it is the children who need this coverage the most.

Now the Legislature should concentrate on SB 1025 which will make it easier for children with autism to get an appropriate education. More on that later this week.