HomeMy Public PortalAbout2008_08_12_R131 Autism Spectrum Disorder Insurance Coverage
The Town of
Leesburg,
Virginia
PRESENTED August 12. 2008
RESOLUTION NO.: 2008-131
ADOPTED August 12.2008
A RESOLUTION: ENDORSING HOUSE BILL 83 TO REQUIRE PRIVATE
HEALTH INSURERS AND PLANS TO PROVIDE
APPROPRIATE AND EQUITABLE COVERAGE FOR
INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
WHEREAS, autism in one of the fastest growing bio-neurological developmental
disabilities in the world, which impacts a person's ability to communicate effectively and
interact with other people; and
WHEREAS, autism affects 1 in every 150 children in the United States, and over
1.5 million Americans have some form of autism; and
WHEREAS, while there is no cure for autism, significant progress has been made
in the last 30 years in the areas of research, medicine, diagnostic issues and therapies; and
WHEREAS, with early diagnosis and intervention and appropriate services and
support, individuals with autism can lead distinguished, productive lives in their
communities and strive to reach their fullest potential; and
WHEREAS, coverage of health care, behavioral, and psychotherapeutic services
for autism s limited, inconsistent, or excluded altogether by private health plans and
insurers; and
WHEREAS, when health plans and insurers limit or exclude health services for
autism there is often fragmentation and/or denial of services, leaving families with lost
time and no services.
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A RESOLUTION:
ENDORSING HOUSE BILL 83 TO REQUIRE PRIVATE HEALTH
INSURERS AND PLANS TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE AND
EQUITABLE COVERAGE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDER
THEREFORE RESOLVED, by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg in
Virginia as follows:
SECTION 1. The Leesburg Town Council strongly supports and endorses the
efforts of the General Assembly of Virginia (House Bill No. 83, Attached) to enact
legislation to require private health insurers and plans to provide appropriate and
equitable coverage for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and to ensure that they
receive the same benefits and care as afforded to other individuals covered by said
Insurance.
SECTION II. The Leesburg Town Council expresses its support for an insurance
mandate for autism treatments n Virginia and calls upon state legislators to work towards
an immediate enactment of a bill (House Bill No. 83, Attached) relating to health
insurance coverage for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
SECTION III. The Leesburg Town Council directs staff to forward a copy of this
resolution and House Bill No. 83 the Town's legislative representatives, Virginia
Association of Counties, Virginia Municipal League and the appropriate General
Assembly Committee.
PASSED this lih day of August 2008.
n C. mstattd, Mayor
Town of Leesburg