The House State Affairs committee today killed a bill that would mandate South Dakota health insurers include autism an spectrum disorders in their coverage.
The committee took ninety minutes of often emotional testimony late Tuesday afternoon before calling a 7 – 4 vote to send the bill to the 41st day, effectively killing the bill.
Supporters from across the state packed the Capitol Building’s largest committee room sharing stories of the personal and financial impacts of caring for children with autism.
Opponents, including the South Dakota Division of Insurance , testified that the bill is a mandate and would require the State of South Dakota pick up as much as $1.4 million or more in costs.
As the vote was called, many of the supporters in the room broke down in tears.
(Patrick Callahan SDBA)