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Kasich Lauded for Autism Mandate, But Move Has Critics

Ohio Governor John Kasich was lauded Wednesday by dozens of state legislators and parents of children with autism. They celebrated the Governor's order that, starting next year, will require health insurance policies in Ohio to cover autism treatment.

Michael Wasmer has a daughter with autism. He said the governor's move would help families with autistic children AFFORD the thousands of dollars worth of annual treatment that can bring those kids into the mainstream.

"Ohio family affected by autism will be able to access this treatment prescribed by their doctor without getting a second mortgage on their home, without organizing personal fundraisers, without sacrificing their children's college fund to pay for the therapy for their affected child, without filing bankruptcy," says Wasmer.

A group representing thousands of small Ohio companies argued that the governor's mandate was counter-productive. The National Federation of Independent Business said the autism coverage requirement was just the latest government mandate to put upward pressure on insurance premiums.