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LANSING – Standing alongside children with autism and their families, the House Democrats today launched a campaign to support the growing number of families struggling with the costs of autism care by requiring health insurance companies to provide coverage for the treatment of the disorder. In support of National Autism Awareness Month, lawmakers also launched an online petition for residents who would like to show their support for the plan and raise autism awareness.

"With the number of Michigan families coping with autism on the rise, the need for effective treatment is becoming more pressing and we need to tackle this disorder head-on," said House Majority Floor Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee), lead sponsor of the plan. "Early treatment is vital for a child with autism to reach his or her full potential, and it's unconscionable that health care providers continue to refuse to cover autism treatments. It's time for health care companies to do the right thing and stop denying care to children struggling with this debilitating disorder."

Autism, which refers to the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders, is characterized by difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction and repetitive behaviors. According to the Michigan Department of Education, an estimated 13,839 children in Michigan had some form of autism in 2008. Between 2001 and 2006, the number of children in Michigan public schools diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder increased by more than 100 percent, according to the Autism Society of Michigan.

"The rate of autism in Michigan and across the country is rising," said State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga), Chair of the House Insurance Committee. "The purpose of insurance is to take financial pressure off a person in the event of a catastrophe or illness, and that is what autism is: a diagnosed illness that is expensive to treat. For an insurance company not to cover this condition is absolutely unacceptable."

Currently, most health insurance companies cover only screening for the disorder, leaving families with autistic children to bear the high costs of treatment on their own. Treating autism can cost a single family $50,000 or more annually.

"When health care companies decide not to cover treatments, they are turning their backs on our children and limiting the potential and quality of life," said State Representative Jennifer Haase (D-Richmond). "While they cover treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes, they continue to discriminate against autism – a disorder that affects one in every 150 children."

Residents can sign the petition at www.housedems.com/petitions by clicking on the autism petition graphic. While on the site, residents also will be able to share personal stories about how autism has affected them and their families.

"Our children are suffering because of insurance companies' refusal to pay for the treatment of autism," said State Representative Joan Bauer (D-Lansing). "This disease can be treated if caught early enough. Because of the insurance industry's policies, our children are suffering. It's time to put an end to these practices."

Last week, the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Angerer that will encourage greater research into the causes and treatments of the disorder. The plan will create the Autism Research Fund to research the causes and treatments to the disorder, as well as establish a new income tax checkoff box to allow Michigan residents to voluntarily designate a portion of their tax return to the fund.

"Roughly 1.5 million Americans are believed to have some form of autism, and that number is on the rise," said State Representative Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores). "The time to act is now. Together we can raise autism awareness and make sure all of our children reach their full potential."