The Tulsa World Editorial - "Parity"
April 23rd, 2010
Note: Governor Brad Henry signed SB 2045 Friday, April 23, 2010; the measure will take effect Nov. 1, 2010.
For years, parents of autistic children in Oklahoma came away from legislative sessions disappointed and frustrated because they could not obtain insurance coverage for their children on a par with insurance for children who are not autistic.
Parents often complained that some insurance companies routinely denied claims filed on behalf of children with autism for illnesses and maladies unrelated to the diagnosis of autism. Such claims were denied because Oklahoma does not require health insurance policies to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism and most insurers specifically exclude autism.
The dark days are over. Gov. Brad Henry is expected to sign a bill mandating that insurance carriers provide parity in coverage for autistic children.
This long overdue legislation is the fruit of much labor. Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, never gave up and never gave in. A tireless advocate for autistic children and their families, Gumm fought year after year. He was knocked down but he got up. He was knocked down again, but Gumm refused to stay down.
This year was different, thanks to Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, and to Sen. Bill Brown, R-Broken Arrow, chairman of the Senate Committee on Retirement and Insurance. Both senators worked hard for a bipartisan agreement. Language insuring autistic children was placed in a bill Brown sponsored. (Gumm also introduced a stand-alone bill.) No one on either side of the aisle grandstanded. Lawmakers, including those in the House, led by Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, quietly and humanely took care of business.
"For me," Gumm said, "this issue speaks to the fundamental moral question of 'fairness.' Regardless of anyone's stand on whether insurers should be required to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism, one fundamental fact remains: If a child with autism breaks an arm on the playground or gets sick, they should be covered the same as any other child."
Passage of Senate Bill 2045 represents one of the Oklahoma Legislature's finest hours.
The Tulsa World - World's Editorial Writers