CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- One out of every 150 children in this country is living with autism, and it's bankrupting families in more ways than one -- both emotionally and financially.
The health-care costs are enormous, and families are looking to the state for help. Many people affected by autism gathered Monday during a legislative committee meeting in Charleston.
Parents said they simply can't afford the costs on their own. The health-care costs for autism are staggering, and insurance companies often refuse to foot the bill.
Several states already have laws on the books that require insurance companies to cover autism treatments and therapies, but West Virginia does not. Logan County Delegate Ralph Rodighiero is pushing for coverage in the Mountain State.
On Monday, lawmakers heard from the man who helped push an autism bill through the Pennsylvania Legislature. He said a similar bill would increase insurance premiums for West Virginians by $3 a month.
For more, including comments from parents affected by autism, click on the video link above.