Autism Coverage Expands in Oklahoma

Posted by Marc Kilmer in Health Care, Insurance Regulation, Oklahoma on Dec 30th, 2008 | no responses

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma are expanding the services for autistic children. You would think that Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, the legislator who has been pushing for a state mandate for autism coverage (called "Nick's Law" in Oklahoma), would be happy about this, right? If so, you'd be wrong. Sen. Gumm is upset that this may stall consideration of his bill (and deprive him of media attention): "While I commend their effort, this appears to be an attempt to put the pin back in the grenade and forestall consideration of Nick’s Law in 2009."

If the sponsor of Nick's Law was truly concerned about expanding coverage for autistic children, he should be happy insurance companies are moving in this direction. After all, these mandates are being sold not as a good in and of themselves but as necessary because the private market isn't working. It follows, then, that if the private market is providing coverage it means the mandate isn't necessary. But it seems Sen. Gumm is concerned about passing the mandate, not covering the kids. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that he won't get any credit for "helping" autistic kids if this coverage comes from a private initiative.

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