Missouri & Kansas Debate Autism Insurance Mandate

Kansas City, MO – Just about one in every hundred fifty kids will be diagnosed with autism. Parents and autism researchers say early treatment can make a huge difference in the child's later life. That treatment can cost a lot - tens of thousands of dollars a year. But most insurance companies don't cover it. Well, at least not here. Nine states now require group insurance plans to pay for the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Lawmakers in Kansas and Missouri pushed for similar legislation this year.

KCUR's Elana Gordon reports.

Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.

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