DATE

The Honorable Muriel Bowser and The Honorable Tommy Wells

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004

Re: Bill 18-528 “Health Insurance Coverage for Children with Autism Act of 2009”

Dear Councilmember Bowser and Councilmember Wells:

Thank you for co-introducing Bill 18-528, the “Health Insurance Coverage for Children with
Autism Act of 2009.” In March 2010, you heard testimony expressing general support for the bill
from individuals and organizations, including The Arc of DC and Family Voices of DC, who
also asked the committee to consider including children with other developmental disabilities as
a covered entity. We have since met with committee staff to discuss this.

Through further research regarding this bill, we have discovered that inconsistencies in the
diagnosis of autism often lead to disparities by race and income level. We are strengthened in our
conviction that this legislation should include coverage for children with other developmental
disabilities in order to avoid unintended consequences of leaving out certain groups of people.
We ask that you consider amending Section 3 (a) (1) of the bill to say:

“Provide coverage for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and other
developmental disabilities and the evidence-based, medically necessary treatment of
autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities, for individuals under the
age of 21 years.”

We have attached a white paper that details the previously mentioned research and further
advocates the position that policies designed to provide more access to services for children
better achieve this by broadening the definition of individuals covered. Research published in the
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry shows that African-
American children with autism are diagnosed an average of 1.4 years later than white children
with autism. Furthermore, DC-specific data from the Office of the State Superintendent of
Education suggests that white children are four times more likely to have a primary diagnosis of
autism than either African-American or Hispanic children. Conversely, African-American and
Hispanic children are more likely to receive other diagnoses such as developmental delay and
emotional disturbance. We fear that policies targeted only at children with autism will
inadvertently disqualify traditionally underserved African-American, Hispanic, and poor children
for services that could significantly improve their quality of life. The inclusion of children with
other developmental disabilities would ensure that all children receive needed services.

We realize this is an ongoing discussion and this is new information, but we are confident that
you will consider this important information. Please feel free to contact us with any questions –
Doreen Hodges, d.hodges@familyvoicesofdc.org, 202-230-8201 or Alison Whyte,
awhyte@arcdc.net, 202-636-2981. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to your
response.
Sincerely,

The Arc of DC
Family Voices of DC
Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development – University Center for
Excellence in Developmental Disabilities