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Insurance companies would be required to cover autism treatment for children under a bill approved by a Utah Senate committee.
Senate Bill 43, or "Clay's Law," would mandate $50,000 in coverage for children younger than 9, and $25,000 in coverage for children 9 to 17.
Bill sponsor Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, says treatments would include behavioral correction therapy, which could take up to eight hours a day for several years.
The bill is named after 8-year-old Clay Whiffen, who underwent an intensive-behavioral therapy program at an early age and no longer exhibits autistic tendencies. Clay's family paid for intensive behavior therapy. It has changed their lives, especially his. But this medically-proven treatment can be both time consuming and very expensive.
Clay's mother, Leann Whiffen, said, "Once we got over trying to treat him, because the treatment is very time consuming, I vowed I would help in their period. We almost went bankrupt and lost our house, and it was a really tough time. But look at where my son is at. These kids have so much potential, and every child deserves to have that outcome."
The bill was approved in a Senate committee on Thursday 5-1. It had strong support there since many lawmakers are personally familiar with children with autism. It will now be debated on the Senate floor.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
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