Rupp, Schmitt plan rallies for Missouri autism coverage
JEFFERSON CITY — It’s not just Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon who is pushing the autism insurance bill.
St. Louis area senators Scott Rupp of Wentzville and Eric Schmitt of Glendale — both Republicans — have established a Web site pushing the autism insurance coverage bill and in September will hold a public rally kicking off support for the legislation next session.
Rupp and Schmitt — who has a son with autism — were key supporters of the bill that passed the Senate last year but never received a vote in the House. Nixon pushed the bill as an early legislative priority in a state flyaround last week.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Ron Richard, R-Joplin — who never put the bill on the calendar last year — is criticizing Nixon for politicizing the issue. Richard has appointed an interim committee to study the issue of mandating autism insurance. The committee hasn’t met yet.
Rupp and Schmitt’s rally is on noon on Sept. 20 at The Meadows at Lake St. Louis.
This is a feel good idea which may also be a good idea. But does anyone know how much it will cost? Nothing is free and we will all pay for this.
This IS NOT ONLY a feel good IDEA….it IS the right thing to do in reality. To deny children access to therapy that could give them a future instead of ending up in a group home makes sense. The cost is high on the front end but saves a lot of tax-paying citizens money in the long run. Early intervention for these children gives them a fighting chance of being indistinguishable from their peers. Now THAT would make ME FEEL GOOD.
Wow, I have to agree with the second comment. I am amazed by people who bother to talk about something they know nothing about. Let me ask you something Mark B. Does the insurance that you pay for with your hard earned money cover you if you have a heart attack or stroke? I’ll bet it the very same insurance that I pay for. I am an RN and work in the hospital and treatment that is used for people that have a stroke is the same treatment you would use for a child witha autism. Unfortunately insurance companies have to be mandated to cover many things. Mamograms, diabetes, and so on. There is a very long list. With the pandemic we have going on, and yes, it is truly a pandemic, with autism and children I guess you would rather these children not be treated and then we have a society of people growing up only to be dependent on society when their parents die. Or, better yet, maybe we should just exterminate them like Hitler did. Would that make you feel good????
The cost is estimated to be about $23 annually. A small price to pay to make someone independent and self -sufficient. Attend a rally, get informed. There is an entire website dedicated to this bill. Trust me if you do not pay for it now you will be paying for it later as individuals who are autistic and do not receive therapy will be dependent on State aid after there moms and dads are gone–which is funded by tax dollars. My son is 18 and has autism…we cannot possibly pay for all the therapy that he needs and deserves, however my husband does pay into a fund to ensure insurance coverage –that turns around and denies his child an opportunity to be self sufficient and independent. It is disgusting. if you do not support this bill look at it this way-There is no difference between saying insurance should not cover cancer treatment because everyone in the world does not have it. i imagine ALL of us know someone or have someone in our family who has been effected by autism. It is an epidemic to the LARGEST proprotions.