Orange County Register, September 29, 2024
Last year, a constituent contacted my office to explain a problem with her developmentally disabled adult son. He had been diagnosed with autism and was non-verbal. However, every couple of years he was being subjected to testing by his insurance provider to reconfirm his diagnosis, despite his condition being lifelong. Without a re-diagnosis, he would be kicked off of his insurance plan.
Parents who provide care for children with developmental disabilities have a difficult, and often thankless, job. There are countless challenges to navigating the healthcare system and they are fierce advocates for the best possible treatment for their children. It can often be stressful for families and caregivers and leads to difficulty in managing other commitments outside the home. Supporting this community and trying to improve the quality of life for children and their families is a personal passion of mine.
So when the parent came to my office, I knew something had to be done. This testing was stressful for the young man and his parents, who had to take him into a specialist to confirm what they already knew. Working with the constituent and other stakeholders, I introduced Assembly Bill 1977 to prohibit health insurance companies from requiring new behavioral health diagnoses for lifelong conditions, known as pervasive developmental disorders in official parlance, including those with autism spectrum disorders.
For those living with pervasive developmental disorders, the required retesting is overly burdensome, stressful, and can be embarrassing. Why subject this already vulnerable population to confirm a lifelong diagnosis? Especially since these patients are already under medical care with therapies, medications, and other treatments like music or art therapy designed to enhance quality of life. The added re-diagnosis requirement amounts to nothing more than bureaucratic red tape.
My bill does nothing to come between the relationship between a patient and their doctor. Medical professionals are best positioned to offer treatment plans, prescribe medications, and recommend a course of action to help mitigate the affliction of living with these types of disorders.
This bill sailed through the legislative process unanimously. I put together a bipartisan coalition of support and gained a Democrat Senator as a coauthor who shared my vision for this bill. There was initial opposition from healthcare plans, but we all came to the table together to put forward a bill that makes sense for everyone.
Much to my surprise and disappointment, this bill was recently vetoed by Governor Newsom. In his veto message, the Governor discusses the importance of insurance utilization reviews, which is a related topic, but not what my bill addresses. I agree with the importance of keeping those with developmental disabilities under appropriate medical care. However, the Governor’s action shows a complete disregard for the challenges faced by families and caregivers.
Next year, I intend to re-introduce another bipartisan bill to address this problem. I look forward to continuing the conversation to work with stakeholders and autism advocacy groups to craft legislation that ends this gaping hole in our healthcare delivery system. I hope the Governor will stand with me to support this vulnerable population to prioritize their health, well-being, and quality of life.
Governor Newsom’s veto hurts children with autism