As the father of a child with autism, I want to share a disturbing fact:

Michigan does not require insurance companies to cover treatment for autism, even though this debilitating neurobiological condition can leave families overwhelmed, isolated and in some cases bereft of hope.

But the injustice doesn’t end there. It extends to Michigan taxpayers, who ultimately have to foot the bill for special education and long-term supports because children with autism who are not treated grow up to be adults with untreated autism.

Neither families nor taxpayers win when a treatable condition – especially one as widespread as autism, which affects 1 in every 110 children and is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the country – is not covered by insurance.

via Autism and insurance | freep.com | Detroit Free Press.

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