Insurance Industry Speaks Out Against Our Efforts!

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Insurance industry opposes autism funding proposal

The Business Journal of Milwaukee

by Ben Fischer

Gov. Jim Doyle's proposal to require insurance companies to cover at-

home treatments for autism is drawing skepticism from health

insurance companies.

While details of Doyle's proposal were expected to be released March

16, the health insurance industry is already gearing up to oppose it,

if only out of a philosophical objection to mandated coverage of any

condition. The autism mandate is no different, said Phil Dougherty,

lobbyist for the Wisconsin Association of Health Plans, Madison.

" It's still an additional cost, and you're adding costs on top of an

already unaffordable, or nearly unaffordable, program for a lot of

small employers, " Dougherty said. " As you add costs, you're

preventing someone else from affording coverage. "

Autism, a neurological disorder that impedes social interaction and

creative thought, has been a political issue throughout Doyle's time

as governor.

In 2003, Doyle's administration said it would end Medicaid funding

for autism treatment on the heels of a similar federal decision, but

then was able to secure permission from the federal government to

continue state-supported autism treatment.

Then in 2005, Doyle's proposed budget removed funding for the

program, only to later agree to have $26.7 million put back in the

budget under political pressure.

Seventeen states mandate some kind of autism coverage, according to

the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Washington, D.C.

Now in Doyle's third budget preparations, he has promised full

funding for state-sponsored coverage. But he will also demand that

private insurance pay for those who don't qualify for a Medicaid

waiver or are put on a waiting list.

That's necessary because autism diagnoses in children attending

Wisconsin public schools have increased from 400 in 1992 to 5,000 in

2005, said Nissan Bar-Lev, Wisconsin's special education coordinator

for the northeastern region and member of the Governor's Council on

Autism.

" Since the state has already invested probably more money than most

into autism, (Doyle) is thinking, 'who else can help out?' and

there's the private sector, " said Bar-Lev.