From Sen. Amanda Ragan –
Nearly one in 50 American kids is affected by autism spectrum disorders, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by difficulty communicating and socializing, as well as repetitive behaviors.
Services and therapies can significantly improve the quality of life of those with autism, especially if they are provided at a young age. However many families face challenges in accessing and paying for effective treatment. Most insurance companies do not cover autism services, and there are a limited number of providers that offer effective treatments.
To help, we approved $3 million to establish a program that provides support to families that do not have insurance coverage for their children up to age nine. The Health & Human Services Budget (SF 446) also provides additional funding to the Regional Autism Support Programs, which coordinate autism services and ensure that all available resources are leveraged for the greatest benefit.
This new funding will help attract more health care professionals with expertise in autism therapies, thus enhancing the availability of quality services in Iowa.
We are also keeping our promise to ensure Iowa is a safe place for kids and older Iowans in this session’s Administration & Regulation Budget, House File 603. This bill includes:
• Iowa’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. The program recruits, trains and supports community volunteers to serve as an effective voice in court for abused and neglected children, strengthening efforts to ensure that each child is living in a safe, permanent and nurturing home. A CASA volunteer is typically assigned one case at a time and promotes the child’s best interests through investigation, assessment, facilitation, monitoring and advocacy. The program has proven its effectiveness, and CASA volunteers now serve children in all 99 Iowa counties.
• Inspections of Iowa health care facilities. One of the state’s key responsibilities is inspecting and licensing a variety of health care providers, including nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, hospices, home health agencies, programs and facilities caring for children, assisted living programs and elder group homes. The state is also responsible for investigating complaints of improper care or treatment of patients, residents and tenants in licensed and certified facilities.
