Families of Autistic Children Fight for Kate's Law

May 06, 2009

By Denise Hnytka (WICHITA, Kan)

Ten states already have it, and two are considering it - a law that requires insurance companies cover the treatment of autism.

In Kansas, the bill is called Kate's Law. This session, it didn't make it out of the Senate or the House of Representatives. But this setback isn't stopping the people fighting for it.

Since his diagnosis at age three, Linda Kendrick has watched her grandson improve. Londan, now six years old, is autistic.

"When we got this diagnosis, we didn't know what to do," said Kendrick. "I wanted to know how I could help him and make his life easier and consequently our life easier."

Londan gets individual attention during sessions at Heartspring. Kate's Law would require insurance companies cover this kind of treatment.

"I know a lot of parents would sacrifice a whole bunch if they could find someone even to pay part of their treatment," said Kendrick. "They would sacrifice to find the rest of it."

Kate's Law was voted down in the house earlier this month, a disappointment to Kendrick and those at Heartspring.

"All of us as a community need to say that these kids matter," said Connie Coulter, Director of Autism Outreach at Heartspring. "They matter so much that we are going to call our state legislator next year."

Coulter believes legislators are misinformed about the bill's impact. Kate's Law would have raised insurance premiums for everyone, but she says only by less than two dollars a month.

"How can you say to someone that their child is not worth $1.88 a month?," asked Coulter.

Representative Steve Huebert (R) says the insurance increase concerned him enough to vote against the bill. He and Representative Mario Goico (R) also believe the bill was not given enough time for debate and discussion. They believe Kate's Law could have more success in next year's session.

"You see these kids and how beautiful they are, and you know that there is the potential there to get so much better," said Kendrick.

A year's time will bring a new chance for Kate's Law and more time for Londan to learn and grow.

Kate's law is named for a 10-year-old autistic girl from Shawnee, Kansas.

Families of autistic children often pay more than 50-thousand dollars a year out of pocket for treatment.

How did your representative vote?

|

|

|