The hotly debated bill that requires insurers to cover autism is back on the table and would increase costs for small business owners.
Healthcare Costs Could Rise for Small Employers
In a unanimous decision, the Georgia Senate approved Senate Bill 1 on Thurday, Jan. 29. SB 1, otherwise known as “Ava’s Law,” requires insurance companies to provide coverage for children with autism.
The autism bill, initially introduced last year, passed the Senate, but stalled in the House. Lawmakers did approve a state budget last year that included funding to provide autism treatment through the State Health Benefit Plan.
This year’s bill is nearly identical, requiring insurers to cover children with autism who are six and under. Annual payouts would be limited to $35,000 and businesses with 10 or fewer employees would be exempt. Employers could also opt out of the coverage if they could verify a 1 percent annual increase in premiums. This bill does not apply to large companies that self-insure their benefits.
The bill’s author is Republican state senator Charlie Bethel, who is chairman of the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee. The bill is likely to pass the Senate again, but face more pushback in the House. House Speaker David Ralston has voiced his criticism of the legislation, citing that it would drive up costs for small businesses.
NFIB Georgia State Director Kyle Jackson told the AJC, “At the end of the day, it’s still a new mandate and government enforcing its will on small employers.”
