New Florida package proposed to enchance coverage for children with autism

New Florida package proposed to enchance coverage for children with autism

By Betty Parker
news-press.com Tallahassee bureau

TALLAHASSEE — A new package that would provide enhanced coverage for children with autism was unveiled at a special House committee meeting Monday night, with House Speaker Marco Rubio making an unusual appearance to promote the proposal.

The proposed bill removes caps on full-pay KidCare participants so that any Florida family can buy health insurance that includes coverage for enhanced services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. It also expands KidCare benefits to include physical, speech and occupational therapy -- and expands the age eligibility -- so that younger children can get enhanced benefits.
KidCare is the state's health insurance program for uninsured children under the age of 19 with eligibility determined by family income.

The proposal Rubio outlined Monday also directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to develop agreements with penalties for private insurers who deny coverage for medically necessary services because of developmental disabilities, and mandates coverage for certain services related to developmental disabilities if a negotiated agreement is not implemented.

The bill also creates voluntary pre-kindergarten programs for children with developmental disabilities starting in the 2011-12 school year.

The measure will go to the House Health Care Council Tuesday for a vote; Monday night’s unveiling involved only brief discussion.

Rubio, R-West Miami, told the House Select Committee on Autism that House and Senate leaders and staff worked over the weekend on the package. "I am here to show commitment at the highest levels of leadership" for the proposal, Rubio told the group.

Although lawmakers are working with a cash-strapped budget and two weeks left in session, there's still time and money get the autism and disabilities package done.

"If we can achieve this, we can be a national model” for setting up programs that help children with developmental disabilities, Rubio said. "It's rare in politics that we get a chance to truly change the way people are living . . . this is a lot of fun. This is more fun than a property tax cut" and will have a greater, more direct impact on the lives of those who have children with autism or other disabilities