Ohio House passes bill to require insurance companies to cover treatment of autism

Ohio House approves required autism coverage

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio House has approved bills that would require health insurance companies to cover the treatment of autism and diabetes.

The Democratic-controlled House voted 57-39 for the autism bill and, which now heads to the Republican-controlled Senate. Diabetes coverage was approved by a vote of 58-38.

The House included the autism coverage requirement in its version of the two-year budget passed earlier this year. But the Senate took the measure out.

Many Republicans are concerned that requiring insurance companies to cover autism and diabetes will increase the price of insurance overall, hurting small businesses and certain individuals.

About one in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism, a developmental disability that impairs a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others.