Arkansas Senate approves requirement for health insurance companies to cover autism diagnoses, treatments for kids

From The AP:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Senate has approved legislation that would require most health insurance companies to cover autism diagnoses and treatments for people 18 and younger.

The Senate approved the proposal on a 34-0 vote on March 2. The proposal now heads back to the House to consider an amendment.

The legislation focuses on covering applied behavioral analysis, which involves evaluating and modifying a child's behavior by using positive reinforcement and repetition while monitoring what triggers certain behavior and what reinforces it. It also entails teaching children social, verbal, reasoning and motor skills they may have difficulty learning on their own.