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Autism treatments are not being covered by health care companies and children are not receiving the treatment they need because of it.  It doesn't get any more clear than that.  Excluding autism from coverage is completely arbitrary on the behalf of the insurance companies.  It's unfair. It's wrong.  And it sets back efforts to understand and treat this disorder.

When health insurance companies decide to not cover treatments, they are turning their backs on a generation of children with autism and they are limiting the potential and quality of life of these kids.  Children do not outgrow autism. These are treatments that our children need to help them live their daily lives.  It's time to take a firm stance on this issue and require health insurance companies to cover autism treatments.  That is exactly what our plan does.  Our plan will require health insurance companies to end their arbitrary exclusion of autism. It will ensure that families, like these behind us and standing with us, who are raising children who have autism will receive the quality care they need to help their child grow and develop to their full potential.

Autism treatments often come with a high price, which can place an unbearable financial burden and immeasurable stress on families.  Treating autism can cost a single family $50,000 or more annually.  A recent study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that it can cost roughly $3.2 million to provide treatment for an autistic person over his or her lifetime.  No one should be forced to go untreated or shoulder such a heavy financial burden when this type of care is available.  Ensuring equal coverage for all of our working families when it comes to autism is the right thing to do for Michiganresidents.  And today, in support of National Autism Awareness Month, we are all standing here together to ask Michiganresidents to share that same message with our health care companies.

No one should be forced to go untreated or shoulder such a heavy financial burden when this type of care is available.  Ensuring equal coverage for all of our working families when it comes to autism is the right thing to do for Michiganresidents.  And today, in support of National Autism Awareness Month, we are all standing here together to ask Michiganresidents to share that same message with our health care companies.

We've created an online petition at our Web site, www.housedems.com, where you can show your support for our plan.  Together we can tell health care companies that it's time to step up to the plate and provide this important coverage for Michigan's children.  By requiring health insurance parity for those living with autism, our plan will make Michigan a leader in the effort to better understand and treat this disorder that affects so many Michigan families and families across the United States.