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Autism families push for better, uniform coverage

By WTOP Staff

ALANNA DURKIN
Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — After hitting some bumps during the setup of the Affordable Care Act, advocates say they’re regaining momentum in their effort to expand private insurance coverage for the treatment of autism.

Since April, Maine, Utah, Nebraska, Maryland, and Kansas have approved new or expanded laws or regulations that will require private insurance companies to cover autism treatment.

In total, 37 states and Washington, D.C., have approved autism insurance laws. But they vary significantly in terms of which plans must offer coverage, as well as price and age limits.

Supporters say the state-by-state patchwork of laws can create confusion for families, cuts off coverage too early for some and leaves affordable therapy out of reach for many.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Emergency guide: What you should do to prepare for emergencies

By WTOP Staff
WASHINGTON — Do you know what you'd do if an emergency hits? What if you're at work, your spouse is stuck in traffic and your children are in school? There's no way to plan for every emergency, but you can make sure you're prepared for different scenarios, including making a plan for your family and building a kit of emergency supplies.
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