I am disappointed with the state Assembly. Wisconsin used to take care of its citizens. Remember BadgerCare and the brand new UW Children's Hospital?
Not to mention the statewide smoking ban moving increasingly closer to passage.
Unfortunately, our elected leaders have failed their voters this time. They decided that insurance companies should not be forced to cover care for people with autism.
Back in April 2007, Gov. Jim Doyle called for health insurance providers to be required to cover the costs associated with the treatment of autism.
After the request was dropped from the state budget during last fall's fiasco, legislation was introduced to provide the same coverage.
Autism Spectrum Disorder has been identified by the National Institute of Mental Health as a legitimate series of developmental disorders that often begin during childhood. Yet, insurance providers claimed such coverage would be too expensive for them, even though similar measures in other states have only caused a 1 percent increase in insurance premiums.
Once again, the obnoxiously loud health insurance companies won over the Wisconsin Assembly, reassuring parents of autistic children that the legislature truly does not care about them or their families.
Autism is by no means a rare disorder. It is estimated that 1 in 200 children born in Wisconsin will have some form of autism. That means over 215 students on this campus were born with this disorder. In addition, the number of kids diagnosed with autism continues to grow every year.
It is also a complex disorder that may require help from many different medical technicians and fields. Paying for this treatment without insurance can rapidly drain a family's finances. Once the money runs out, the child can no longer receive the care he or she desperately needs.
Autism is a life-long disorder. Although not explicitly mentioned, the health insurance companies likely expected to foot the bill for medical treatment for more than 60 years. However, it has been shown that symptoms of autism can be reduced in over half of infants if they are given proper treatment early in life. Although incurable, insurance companies would have to pay much less for decades of care if children get help early.
This, of course, begs the question: When will things stop? After all, there are numerous life-long mental and physical disorders that insurance companies are not required to cover.
What makes autism unique? First of all, people have lobbied long and hard for this change, meeting in the Capitol and holding rallies. Secondly, this piece of legislation is supported by the governor, a man who clearly has this state's best interest at heart. Finally, who is to say that any medical disorder and problem should not be covered by health insurers? This leads back to the lack of national health care and the death grip of the health insurance industry on America. But that is another issue.
Eighteen other states have passed similar measures. It is time for Wisconsin to join this positive band wagon. Health insurance providers in Wisconsin need to provide autism care.
At some point in your life, you will likely know someone who is autistic.
They deserve the same quality treatment as anyone else who requires healing.
Emily Houtler is a sophomore majoring in environmental studies and math. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
