#35: Utah Enacts Autism Insurance Reform
SALT LAKE CITY (April 3, 2014) — — Gov. Gary Herbert today signed legislation making Utah the 35th state to enact autism insurance reform. Utah has one of the nation’s highest rates of prevalence for autism at 1 in 54, or about 2 percent of the state population.
Sen. Brian Shiozawa (at the podium) and Governor Herbert
Sponsored by Sen. Brian Shiozowa, the bill (SB.57) was fiercely opposed by the insurance industry. The enactment of the law culminated six years of effort by the Utah Autism Coalition, providers and families to end insurance company discrimination against people with autism.
“Autism Speaks commends Senator Brian Shiozawa for his leadership in delivering for the Utah autism community,” said Mike Wasmer, Autism Speaks’ associate director of state government affairs. “The Utah Autism Coalition has fought hard to make this day happen and we were proud to be their partner.”
The law requires many state-regulated health plans to cover speech, occupational and physical therapy, psychological and psychiatric care, and behavioral health treatments, including applied behavior analysis (ABA).
The original article was posted on Autism Speaks website here https://www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy/advocacy-news/35-utah-enacts-autism-insurance-reform
Together, we can unlock your child’s potential
Related News
11/18/2025
Tips for Picky Eaters and Introducing New Foods
Autistic children are often labeled as picky eaters, but the truth is that they face a unique set of challenges that can make mealtimes extremely stressful. Discover helpful tips on introducing new foods into your child’s diet to make mealtimes more nutritional and enjoyable for everyone at the table. Autism and Food: Tips for Introducing […]
11/14/2025
Exploring the Beauty of Fall Through Sensory Play
As the weather cools off and the leaves start to change colors, fall offers a perfect opportunity for children to explore nature with all their senses. For children with autism, spending time outdoors can be calming, grounding, and full of rich sensory learning experiences. From the crunchy leaves to the smell of pine and feel […]
10/28/2025
Choosing Gifts for an Autistic Child
Choosing a gift for a loved one is rarely simple, and for parents of autistic children, this process can be even more challenging. Choosing gifts for autistic kids requires extra thought about not just the child’s interests, but also understanding their sensory needs and how they communicate what they may want. But, with a bit […]
