May 14, 2008 12:17 am
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The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — Supporters of a bill to require health insurers to cover autistic children are trying to bolster their case with a new analysis showing the mandate would not be as costly as opponents say.
Sen. John Gumm, D-Durant, cited an actuarial study by an expert in Pennsylvania showing that Gumm’s legislation to help autistic families would have an impact of less than half of a percent on insurance rates.
Gumm was joined at a news conference Tuesday by parents of autistic children, who met earlier Tuesday with House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa.
The parents said they were unable to persuade Benge to agree to hear the Senate-passed autism bill in the House.
Autism is a developmental disability in children that affects their communications skills.
Gumm said the study was done by James N. Bouder, who has done similar studies in other states, using a methodology that has been “verified by insurance departments on those states.”
“They are unimpeachable numbers. They are absolutely a fair rendering of what Nick’s Law would cost,” he said.
According to the 10-page analysis, the Oklahoma legislation likely would cost Oklahoma health insurance rate payers about 0.47 percent, or $1.66 per month.
However, Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, who has fought insurance mandate bills this session, called into question the study because Bouder heads a school for autistic children in Pennsylvania.
Peterson said the House would look at the information in Bouder’s study, but said another review should be conducted.
Gumm accused Peterson at “another attempt at confusion and delay.”
Gumm’s bill is known as “Nick’s Law,” for Nick Rhode, the autistic child of Wayne and Robyne Rhode of Edmond.
The Rhodes and other parents of autistic children met with Benge Tuesday morning.
“He gave us nothing,” Robyne Rhode said as she and her husband appealed to Benge to do what is “morally right” and allow a vote of the bill.
Dee Blose of Yukon said she and other parents of autistic children are “desperate” and would not be deterred.
“We’ll be up here tomorrow. We’ll be up here next week. We are being denied the voice that we need here at the Capitol,” Blose said.
Gumm said passage of Nick’s Law would save taxpayers millions of dollars that they will have to pick up if autistic children do not get early treatment and wind up as wards of the state.
He said similar laws have been passed in other states, including states led by Republicans.
“This is not partisan anywhere else, but it has been turned partisan in this state,” Gumm said.
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