Today, Gov. Rick Snyder signed an order creating an Autism Council in Michigan's Department of Community Health.
The governor's office said the order is a step to implement Michigan's Autism Spectrum Disorders State Plan. According to a 2009 issue paper concerning the plan, autism diagnoses have dramatically increased amongst children over the past several decades.
The AP reports:
The council will have 12 gubernatorial appointees. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley pushed hard to win passage of a mandate for insurance coverage for autism treatment for children. Insurers are reimbursed through a $15 million autism coverage incentive fund. Calley's daughter Reagan has been diagnosed with autism. Michigan's upcoming budget also provides for Medicaid coverage of autism treatment for children through the age of 18.
-Elaine Ezekiel, Michigan Radio Newsroom
