Autism Votes...Mississippi's latest on legislation

In my search for knowledge, I have suddenly become interested in what is going on in the politics of autism within my state and in the government in Washington. I came across Autism Votes .
It is a part of Autism Speaks. There is a list of states that you can choose from to find out what is going on in your state legislator. They have top news stories from around America, and what is going on at Capital Hill. A wonderful place to get started in the "laws" around autism.

Here is the latest on Mississippi:

Summary of Mississippi Legislation

House Bill 720 - Sponsored by State Representative Noal Akins (R-12)

• Requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder
  
  
• Coverage will be provided to individuals under the age of 21
  
  
• Coverage under this bill is subject to an inflation adjusted maximum benefit of $50,000 annually
  
  
• Coverage of treatments will be provided when prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with autism by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist who determines the care to be medically necessary
  
  
• The bill includes coverage of the following treatments: Diagnosis, Habilitative or rehabilitative care, Pharmacy care, Psychiatric care, Psychological care, Therapeutic care, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
  
  
• The bill defines "medically necessary" as any care, treatment, intervention, service, or item that is prescribed, provided, or ordered by a licensed physician or a licenses psychologist that will, or is reasonably expected to

  • prevent the onset of an illness, condition, injury, or disability;
  • reduce or ameliorate the physical, mental, or developmental effects of an illness, condition, injury, or disability; or
  • assist to achieve or maintain maximum functional capacity in performing daily activities, taking into account both the functional capacity of the individual and the functional capacities that are appropriate for individuals of the same age
    
    
• The bill applies only to fully-funded health plans governed by state and to the state and school employees health insurance plan
  
  
• If passed, this bill will take effect on October 1, 2009