That is the additional cost per employee reported by JLARC for mandated health insurance coverage for autism treatment, according to this AP story. HB2467, introduced by Del. Tag Greason (R-Potomac Falls), passed the House Commerce and Labor Committee Thursday and is headed to the floor. The bill would “compel companies that employ 50 or more people and state government health plans to provide up to $35,000 per year in coverage for applied behavior analysis for autistic children ages 2 to 6.”
It should come as no surprise that business and insurance lobbyists are against the bill. But this is another issue that has bipartisan support: the companion Senate bill is patroned by Democratic Senator Janet Howell.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, it is estimated that three to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism spectrum disorder.
58 cents.
Brother, can you spare a few coins?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 