One in 110 children born in the United States is diagnosed with autism, but health insurance companies in Missouri do not routinely provide coverage for the disorder.

That could change, if some Missouri legislators have their way. On Wednesday, the state Senate gave initial approval to a bill that would require health insurance companies to provide autism coverage to employees covered under a company’s heath insurance.

State Sen. Scott Rupp, R-Wentzville, has been seeking to make health insurance providers provide treatment and early diagnosis for autism. He sponsored the bill that would allow individuals under the age of 21, under certain conditions, up to $55,000 in coverage per year.

“Sen. Rupp is a hero to those of us who are directly impacted by autism,” said Jamie Bachman, president of the Autism Alliance of

Northwest Missouri. “I stand in amazement at his knowledge and commitment to Missouri’s children, especially considering that he has absolutely no ties to autism.”

The bill may encounter some opposition in the House. Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-Fallon, said most medical insurance companies already cover all the physical dysfunctions related to autism.

“Those pushing this bill were asking the medical insurance companies also to cover educational problems in a category called Applied Behavioral Analysis,” Ms. Davis, who opposes the bill, said on her Web site. “Forcing the medical insurance companies to pay for this treatment would have been precedent-setting by requiring them to pay for something non-medical.”

Her solution is to provide parents with resources to help children with autism in schools. “With my proposed plan, parents will be able to help their children with the support of their existing school district, while not raising premiums for others who struggle to afford health insurance,” she said.

Gov. Jay Nixon, a supporter of the autism bill, and other legislative leaders have declared that autism insurance legislation will be a priority this session. Already, 15 states have laws requiring coverage of medically necessary autism services such as behavioral therapies.

Ms. Bachman and other parents are watching closely, knowing the financial strain of raising a child with autism. Her 15-year-old son, Tanner, was diagnosed with autism at around age 3.

“You learn what becomes a top priority,” she said. “You do whatever you can to make your child’s life better.”

In Jamie’s mind, the bill making health insurance coverage mandatory for children with autism would make her life better. Financial strife has affected the Bachmans.

“Therapies get expensive, even though there are waivers to help some people out,” she said. “We have mortgaged our house several times.”

The struggle has not only been financial. Seeing the change in Tanner at age 3 affected Jamie.

“When you see your child no longer waving, talking and lost in their own world, you just want to take care of your child,” she said.

Last year, a similar autism insurance bill died in the Senate before making it to the House.

Kristin Hoppa can be reached

at kristin.hoppa@npgco.com.