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Transcript:

Hello, I'm State Representative Barb Byrum. 

Imagine a toddler who doesn't know how to play with her toys. 

Or an older boy who tries to interact with the world, but is unable to speak or express himself. 

Now imagine if these were your children, and you were told that your health care coverage doesn't cover treatment for your autistic son or daughter. 

Unfortunately, this is a reality that many of Michigan's families are forced to live with every day. 

Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with autism. 

In support of National Autism Month, I am here to call for support of a plan that will require health insurance companies to cover autism treatments. 

It is time for Michigan's health care companies to step up to the plate and cover this serious disorder. 

Autism treatments are not being covered by health care companies and children are not receiving the treatment they need because of it. 

Excluding autism from coverage is completely arbitrary. 

It's unfair  

It's wrong. 

This plan will require health insurance companies to provide coverage for autism treatments. 

When health insurance companies decide to not cover treatments, they are turning their backs on a generation of children with autism and they are limiting the potential quality of life of these kids. 

Treating autism can cost a single family $50,000 or more annually. 

These are treatments that our children need to help them live their daily lives. 

It's time to take a firm stance on this issue and require health insurance companies to cover autism treatments.  

This is exactly what our plan does. 

To show your support, please visit www.housedems.com/petitions 

Thank you