Thompson Backs Bill Requiring Insurance Companies to Cover Autism-Related Disorders

By State Senator Bruce Thompson (R-White)

Budget week at the Capitol has come and gone with joint appropriations meeting with the General Assembly to discuss balancing Georgia’s budget for the rest of this fiscal year and next. The governor and state agencies delivered presentations and projections of how they suggest the budget be distributed.

There are 39 states, including Georgia, which require balanced budgets to be passed by legislature. The amended budget ensures that expenses are prioritized and unnecessary expenses are eliminated. Once the amended budget has passed, work will begin on the larger 2016 fiscal year budget, which will appropriate taxpayer’s money through June 2016. As legislators, we must work tirelessly to consider every detail of both budgets so we spend our taxpayers’ money in the most efficient manner possible.

The governor presented projects the state will collect more than $21.1 billion before the fiscal year closes. The governor’s office projects $21.7 billion in revenues for the 2016 fiscal year. This budget process will unfold over the next 36 legislative days with more information to come.

This Thursday, I was honored to stand in Liberty Plaza with hundreds of supporters for the 2015 March for Life. The rally then march began at the Capitol and ended on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. I was fortunate to be able to attend the event with Rep. Scot Turner, Rep. Wes Cantrell and many other legislators.

After hours of debating and discussing, sadly, last year’s autism bill did not pass into Georgia law. This year, Senate Bill 1 was introduced during the first week of session. The bill is sponsored by my colleague Sen. Charlie Bethel and is a great bill for many Georgians including their families. I support this bill which requires that insurance be provided for children with a wide spectrum of autism related disorders. This is something that I have focused on, and something I plan to continue fighting for during this year’s legislative session.

Next week, we will dive deeper into legislative issues as committee meetings begin and legislative session resumes. I am looking forward to working with my fellow legislators to serve Georgia and members of the 14th District.

Photo credit: Georgia General Assembly