Mc­Don­nell pares back bill to provide insurance for autistic children

[Derechos]

By Anita Kumar
Gov. Bob Mc­Don­nell is proposing a series of amendments to a bill that would require businesses to provide insurance coverage for children with autism.

Mc­Don­nell (R) wants to make the bill more restrictive and less costly for businesses by delaying the effective date, subjecting some treatment providers to Board of Medicine approval and tightening eligibility for some small employer groups.

The bill, passed by the General Assembly last month after 11 years of failed attempts, is strongly opposed by the business community, which considers the proposal a financial burden that companies cannot afford in tough economic times.

Legislators can accept or reject his amendments when they return to Richmond on April 6.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/mcdonnell-pares-back-bill-to-provide-insurance-for-autistic-children/2011/03/30/AF3TMQ2B_blog.html