On Friday, Governor John Kasich announced health insurance plans in Ohio will be required to cover services for children with autism. The move makes the state the 33rd to adopt such measures, reports the The Journal Gazette.
Roughly one in 88 children has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism awareness is growing as the numbers of reported cases continues to increase. The Columbus Dispatch states roughly 66,000 Ohioans have an autism spectrum disorder.
"Helping kids with autism get the services they need, and helping their parents get the financial lifeline of insurance coverage, that’s something I support—for state employees and other families as well," Kasich said. "With early intervention, kids with autism do better at school, find employment, and become more independent, connected adults in our communities."
The governor promised autism treatment services will be available to state employees and their 39,900 covered children once the proposition receives approval from five state worker unions. In addition, the services will be included in the state's benefits exchange benchmark plan, the newspaper reports.