Autism Speaks Response to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act

"The need for people with autism to get good quality care is Autism Speaks' first priority. Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act provides clarity to our efforts to achieve that mission. It should be noted that the decision does not affect the autism insurance reform laws enacted by 31 states.
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Congress required such treatment be included as an essential health benefit and the U.S. Supreme Court has held the act constitutional. It is now the obligation of HHS to respect the intent of Congress by insisting all states include behavioral health treatment, such as ABA for autism."

Read the entire statement on
Autism Speaks Response to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act







Federal Health Care Reform - **Autism Votes **


The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), enacted in 2010, could have profound impacts on insurance coverage for autism benefits. While families caring for a child with autism often have health insurance, most of these plans explicitly exclude coverage of the treatments their child needs. Since 2007, Autism Speaks has succeeded at the state level with grassroots partners in enacting autism insurance reform laws in a majority of states --29-- with the goal of ending marketplace discrimination on the basis of an autism diagnosis. Passage of these state-by-state laws is a critical first step. True autism insurance reform will demand a federal response requiring all types of health plans to cover autism treatments.

Autism Speaks Commends Sen. Menendez for Insisting Autism Therapies Get Covered Under New Federal Health Care Law

WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 21, 2012) – Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) pressed U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to insure that the states include behavioral health treatments for autism as they implement the Affordable Care Act, expressing “serious concern” that the federal government’s efforts thus far have fallen short. Autism Speaks applauded the remarks by Senator Menendez, who is among a group of Senate and House champions that continues to fight for a strong federal commitment to meaningful autism insurance coverage.
View the exchange between Senator Menendez and Secretary Sebelius below:
During a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee last week, Menendez said Congress in writing the 2010 law “assured all qualified health plans would include behavioral health service as part of the essential benefits package. Among the universe of those who see those benefits are those who have family members in the autism spectrum.”

Bill History:

March 30, 2011: President Obama signs the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act into law (P.L. 111-152)

March 25, 2010: Senate passes HR.4872

March 23, 2010: President Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law
(P.L. 111-148)

March 21, 2010: The House concurs with Senate amendments to the PPACA and passes the companion HR.4872 containing autism insurance reform as part of the essential benefits package

March 17, 2010: Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (HR.4872) introduced in the House

December 24, 2009: Senate passes PPACA with provisions for autism insurance reform

November 7, 2009: HR.3200 voted out of the House

October 13, 2009: “America's Healthy Future Act Of 2009” voted out of Senate Finance Committee

October 8, 2009: PPACA is voted out of the House

September 25, 2009: Senate Finance Committee approves autism insurance reform amendment offered by Senator Robert Menendez (NJ) to “America's Healthy Future Act Of 2009”

September 17, 2009: The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (HR.3590) is introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives

July 31, 2009: House Energy and Commerce Committee approves Doyle amendment to HR.3200

July 16, 2009: Congressman Mike Doyle (PA) introduces amendment to HR.3200 in the House Energy and Commerce Committee to include autism insurance reform

July 14, 2009: "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" (HR.3200) introduced in the House

July 8, 2009: Autism Speaks launches TV ad calling on Congress to include autism insurance reform as part of overall health care reform

November 2008: As a candidate for President, then-Senator Barack Obama pledges he "will mandate insurance coverage of autism treatment and will also continue to work with parents, physicians, providers, researchers, and schools to create opportunities and effective solutions for people with ASD." 

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The Arc Reacts to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision on the Affordable Care Act

EnjoyHi5!Autism at EnjoyHi5!Autism - 54 minutes ago

*The Arc* | For People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities *“People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been waiting for generations for the insurance reforms put in place by the Affordable Care Act. Today’s ruling removes any doubts that the law Congress enacted should stand and will benefit millions of people with and without disabilities. It ends discriminatory insurance practices and makes health coverage more affordable and accessible – important protections which too many people with disabilities have been deprived of for too long.* “But the ruli... more »