Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has proposed several changes to one of the most high profile bills to pass the General Assembly this year – a measure that would extend insurance coverage to autistic children ages 2 to 6.
One amendment would require the Board of Medicine to license behavior analysts, who oversee autism treatment, and another allows for an independent assessment of treatment plans to ensure that the treatment is “justified and effective.”
Another would strike down the entire law if a Virginia court or federal law invalidates the $35,000 annual cap on benefits in the legislation. The measure would include public employees but not small businesses.
The amendments mark a compromise between the governor’s administration and relevant stakeholders, including those pushing for the coverage and business interests that opposed the measure.
“We have communicated with the patrons to ensure this legislation is in the proper form to guarantee the balance between meeting the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders , their parents who purchase insurance coverage, businesses who provide insurance to their employees, and the industry that provides the coverage,” said McDonnell.
The General Assembly will reconvene April 6 to act on the proposed amendments.
