Skylor Pond is a recent Utah State University graduate who comes to the CPD though a partnership with Deseret Industries. He researches and writes on disability issues.
Senate Bill 43, or Clay’s Law, would mandate the insurance companies in the state of Utah to cover treatments for autism spectrum disorders such as autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified. Currently in the senate, Clay’s Law passed the second reading and now needs to pass a third reading before it goes on to the House.
If the bill becomes a law it will “require that an accident or health insurance policy that provides a health insurance benefit shall provide coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders, grant rulemaking authority to the Insurance Commissioner, describe minimum coverage amounts and limits for the insurance coverage required by this bill, and provide for annual adjustment of the coverage amounts described in the preceding lines, based on the Consumer Price Index.”
The 2009 General Session of the Utah State Legislature ends March 12, 2009.