Tag Archives: bill

Utah Bill Would Require Coverage for Autism Treatment

Utah is one of the states that does not require private health insurance companies to cover the cost of treatment for autism. That could change, thanks to a new bill that would require private health plans to cover it. This is in response to pilot programs that failed to provide adequate coverage. Right now, there are 32 states that require all health insurance plans to cover the cost of autism treatment. Typically, this means that the insurance plan will cover applied behavioral analysis, (ABA). It is an ongoing form of treatment that can require 25 to 40 hours a week. … Continue reading →

Washington Considers Reproductive Parity Act Bill

There are two bills that have been introduced to the legislature in the state of Washington. Together, the two are called the Reproductive Parity Act. The purpose of the bills is to help women maintain their current health insurance coverage when the state health insurance exchange opens in October of 2013. First, a little history. An earlier version of the bills that are collectively being called the Reproductive Parity Act passed the Washington House of Representatives in early 2012. The bill was called HB2330. The Washington Senate decided to vote against the possibility of hearing about, and then officially voting … Continue reading →

Massachusetts Considers Requiring Gun Liability Insurance

How can we prevent gun violence? One of the ideas that has been suggested by many people is to require gun owners to purchase liability insurance on their guns. Most of what I have read on this has been theoretical, until now. Massachusetts might actually require gun liability insurance. Shocked and saddened by the tragedy that happened in Newtown, Connecticut, people started writing, and blogging, and tweeting, their ideas about how to prevent gun violence. One of the ideas involved requiring gun owners to purchase liability insurance on all of their guns. I wrote a blog that compiled several people’s … Continue reading →

Willie Nelson Stands Up For Horses

Country singer Willie Nelson is raising his voice in defense of wild horses. The popular crooner is the latest to join an effort to ban the slaughter of what some consider the symbol of the West. His work to eliminate the killing of horses in the United States for consumption of their meat abroad comes just days before Congress is scheduled to vote on a bill aimed at ending horse slaughter. “If you’ve ever been around horses a lot, especially wild horses, you know they are part of the American heritage. I don’t think its right that we kill them … Continue reading →