Editorial
In our view: Equity in coverage
Parents whose children have muscular dystrophy rely on their health insurance to assist in making sure their child gets the care he or she needs. The same can be said for the parents of children with juvenile diabetes, leukemia, or hearing or vision disorders.
That same assurance isn’t there for parents of children diagnosed with autism.
But, on Thursday, Missouri moved a step closer to making that happen. The Senate passed legislation requiring some insurers to provide coverage for treating children with autism.
According to The Associated Press, the legislation would require group health insurance plans to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism for children younger than 18, beginning in 2010.
It specifically would require coverage for a costly type of treatment known as “applied behavioral analysis,” which some parents say is particularly helpful for their autistic children. Insurers would have to cover up to $55,000 annually for such treatment for children younger than 15.
Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, who voted in favor of the bill, said his decision was based on the premise of right and wrong.
“When there are actual medical conditions that require care, I’ve never been of the opinion that it’s right to exclude coverage for certain medical conditions.”
Nodler said that objections to the bill are linked to fear that it will drive up insurance costs.
“I can’t say absolutely that it won’t, but that should be a separate issue. Bottom line, it’s the right thing to do.”
Paula Baker, chief executive officer of Ozark Center of Joplin, which serves as the overseeing agency for Ozark Center for Autism, said in the 11 states that have passed the same law, insurance costs have gone down because the early intervention saves money later.
“Autism is treatable. When treated early, a child can grow up and go to school, go to college, get married. Why shouldn’t insurance cover that treatment?” she said in a phone interview with the Globe.
The Senate passed the bill 29-2 on Thursday. The bill now goes to the House, where a separate version has stalled.
We applaud the Senate for doing the right thing. We would ask our state representatives to pass this legislation, so children with autism receive the same health coverage afforded to others.
- Editorial
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In our view: The future of Iraq
At least as far as direct, full-scale combat operations, the Iraq war is over. On the international front, Iraq is not a threat to any of its neighbors or others in the international community.
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In our view: Hal Roper’s map to life
It’s one thing to receive a great honor.
It’s another thing to earn it. -
In our view: Failed tenure
Mark Templeton, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, turned in his resignation on Monday and will gone by Wednesday.
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Voices: County roads
As a Newton County resident, I want to give a hearty “thank you” to the county administration and workers for the wonders performed this spring and summer on our county roads.
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Voices: Politics as usual?
I can’t help wondering why our governor just spent $86 million on broadband Internet access for “rural” Missouri in the northern 59 counties that include the cities of St. Louis, Jefferson City, Columbia and Kansas City.
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Voices: No confusion here
In the Aug. 20 issue of the Globe, a lady wrote to complain about the Missouri State Proposition C. Her complaint was that the wording was so confusing that she could not understand it. I believe that her real problem was that she was opposed to its passage.
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Voices: Too subtle
I fear many missed Pete Peterson’s subtle point with his letter (Globe, Aug. 20) aimed at Mexico and its government’s tacit encouragement of illegal immigration.
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Other views: Stick with voters’ wishes
Lawmakers should stick with new rules for renewable energy compliance.
Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved a renewable-energy mandate known as Proposition C two years ago. -
Jim Stone, guest columnist: Armed, but not necessarily safe
It is an American mythology that access to a handgun is equivalent to effective self-defense. No other country maintains the persistent attitude that individuals may not be safe unless they own and sometimes carry handguns.
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In our view: Soldiers paid price of Iraq war
Was America the evil one forcing its imperialistic will upon the peaceful citizens of Iraq resulting in millions of innocent deaths or was she at her best; toppling an evil and repressive dictator and securing freedom for the Iraqi people?
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In our view: The future of Iraq
