AUGUSTA, Maine — More children would receive private insurance coverage for autism treatment under a bill being considered by Maine lawmakers. But the price tag it carries gives it an uncertain future in the Democrat-controlled Legislature this session.

Current law, which mandates that insurance companies provide coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorder only for children ages 5 and under, is preventing families from getting effective, proven treatment for their children or forcing them onto Medicaid, say advocates who are pushing for the bill that would raise that age to 21.