SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Insurance companies would be required to cover autism treatment for children under a bill approved by a Utah Senate committee.
Senate Bill 43, or "Clay's Law," would mandate $50,000 in coverage for children younger than 9, and $25,000 in coverage for children 9 to 17.
Bill sponsor Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, says treatments would include behavioral correction therapy, which could take up to eight hours a day for several years.
The bill is named after 8-year-old Clay Whiffen, who underwent an intensive-behavioral therapy program at an early age and no longer exhibits autistic tendencies.
The bill was approved in a Senate committee on Thursday 5-1. It will now be debated on the Senate floor.
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On the Net:
Senate Bill 43:
http://le.utah.gov/ 7/82009/bills/sbillint/sb0043.htm
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