The Autism Gap: The Fight for Insurance

An emotional battle is underway at the Capitol and it is one that will impact everyone in Georgia, including the estimated 30,000 children with autism and their families. House Bill 309 would require state health care plans to provide insurance for children with autism. State plans include private sector and state employees.

Let your lawmaker know how you feel about House Bill 309. Find your representative and let them know if you support or oppose House Bill 309 here.

To sign the petition FOR House Bill 309, requiring coverage, click here.

To sign the petition AGAINST House Bill 309, opposing coverage, click here.

Autism Video Reports

Autism Headlines

Autism bill backers challenge move to shelve measure

8:22 PM, Feb 26, 2013

Backers of a bill requiring autism coverage in health insurance questioned the legality of a commission to which the bill was assigned this week.

Let your lawmaker know how you feel about HB 309

2:14 PM, Feb 22, 2013

You can contact your lawmaker and let them know how you feel about HB 309. Here's the contact Information for Georgia State Representatives from metro Atlanta:

Autism 11Alive News Poll

2:15 PM, Feb 22, 2013

11Alive commissioned a scientific poll asking 500 people across the state of Georgia about autism.

Xena the Warrior Puppy and boy with autism: match made in heaven

Xena was abandoned and abused as a puppy, near death. Jonny, with autism, was shy and quiet. Heres what happened when they met and became inseparable.

1:12 PM, Apr 10, 2013

Xena was abandoned and abused as a puppy. Jonny, with autism, was shy and quiet. Here's what happened when they met and became inseparable.

Unlikely to get a vote, autism bill gets a hearing

The crowd overflowed to back an autism bill declared all but dead this legislative session. This hearing, they hoped, was more than a consolation prize.

7:18 PM, Mar 11, 2013

The autism bill is assigned to a commission due to study it six more months.

No crossover for Autism Bill

Autism bill will not make it through General Assembly

7:57 PM, Mar 6, 2013

How does a bill with statewide support fail at the capitol? This is how. When a few powerful lawmakers say no.

Hail Mary Monday for the Autism Bill

10:34 PM, Mar 4, 2013

The fight is no longer to get the bill to a vote, it's about getting a hearing. We capture Hail Mary monday.

Hundreds attend autism support day at capitol

12:12 AM, Feb 26, 2013

On the day many families learned the autism bill is in jeopardy, they met with lawmakers, asking for support for a bill that would require insurance to cover autism treatments.

Autism bill likely to be shelved this year

Two key lawmakers said Monday that the bill requiring insurance coverage for autism would likely get shelved this legislative session. And according to Autism Speaks, the bill may not be taken up again until 2015.

10:36 PM, Feb 25, 2013

The Autism bill is getting sent to a new committee that hasn't yet been formed, and won't meet until this year's legislative session is almost over.

The Austim Gap: House Bill 309 in jeopardy

1:20 AM, Feb 23, 2013

House Bill 309, a measure that would require insurance companies to cover treatments for children with autism, is in jeopardy.

The Autism Gap: What Works

9:49 PM, Feb 22, 2013

A look at the kind of treatment that is helping children with Autism.

Autism Facts

• Autism affects 1 in 88 kids and 1 in 54 boys

• More kids diagnosed with Autism than AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined.

• 32 States have Autism included in insurance coverage

• Average claims indicates an avg. premium impact of 32 centers per member per month

• Cost of caring for someone with autism over their lifetime is $3.2M