Autism rally draws 200

I’ve read the posts and I have to admit I find them very discouraging.  My son was diagnosed with autism earlier in the year.  The toughest part about autism is to convince people that aren’t familiar with the disease that it actually exists.  I can tell you that there is clearly something wrong with my son.  Specialist after specialist have confirmed the diagnosis.  My insurance company won’t cover the recommended ABA treatment.  It’s not like ABA treatment is experimental or has a low likelihood for success. Why do we single out autism as the one disease that doesn’t get covered?

I too have concerns about socialism in this approach, but i don’t know what other approach parents can take? 

For the libertarians reading this, i encourage you to donate to http://www.autismgrant.org if that helps you support autistic children without compromising your principles.

Dave - I too share your skeptisism.  I read an article a few months ago about the astounding rise in the diagnosis of autism in young children.  The article, written by a physician, essentially stated that the “generous” diagnosis of autism in young children - especially children of low-income families - had more to do with accessing Medicaid benefits than treating the child.  That said however, my heart goes out to the families that are caring for a child who really is suffering from Autism.  That is a tremendous burden, and I can see insurance companies doing everything they can to shirk their responsibilites to avoid the costly long-term payouts.  The latest scam I’ve heard, is an insurance company claiming a newborn with birth defects, as a “pre-existing” condition, as such, they are not obligated to provide coverage.  I think this is a good place to begin with healthcare reform.  Require insurance companies to disclose in black and white, up front, EXACTLY what procedures, tests, etc. they will cover, and what they won’t.