Mo. governor optimistic that autism bill will pass

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Jay Nixon is optimistic Missouri lawmakers will require insurers to cover therapy for autistic children.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers joined Nixon on Thursday to promote the legislation. That comes after House Speaker Ron Richard pledged to make it the first item for debate when lawmakers convene in January.

Missouri's legislation would require group insurance plans regulated by the state to cover up to $72,000 annually of "applied behavioral analysis" for autistic people under age 21. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees could be exempt if they prove it would raise premiums by at least 5 percent.

The state insurance department expects the new mandate would increase premiums by less than 1 percent.