Virginia House bill that would have mandated autism treatments dies

From The AP:

RICHMOND, Va. -- A bill that would mandate insurance coverage for specialized autism treatments has died before a House subcommittee.

A panel of the House Commerce and Labor Committee deadlocked 4-4 on a vote to send Del. John O'Bannon's bill to a hearing before the full committee. Bills don't advance on a tie.

Republican Del. Bill Janis of Henrico, who could have broken the tie, abstained.

Amendments added Feb. 2 dramatically watered down the emotional measure. The age range, originally age 2 to 9, was changed to 2 years to 6. A maximum $35,000 cap on claims also was added.

The measure died after warnings from powerful business and insurance lobbies that the mandate would boost premium costs and force businesses to stop insuring workers.