State lawmakers advocating for children suffering from rare disease
Published 10:40 am Thursday, October 5, 2017
State Reps. Martin Howrylak and Aaron Miller are cosponsoring bills, introduced last week, which advocate for children with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, a similar disease.
It is estimated that PANDAS impacts roughly one in 200 children. PANS occurs when an infection or other factor causes inflammation on a child’s brain. This causes life-altering symptoms that appear identical to autism. Current law allows medical insurance companies to deny treatment to families whose child is diagnosed with PANS.
House Bill 5035, introduced by Rep. Howrylak, requires health insurers to provide coverage for the treatment of PANS and PANDAS. A similar proposal was signed into law in Illinois last year and there are several other states working on legislation related to this issue.
House Bill 5036, introduced by Rep. Miller, requires the creation of the Advisory Council on PANDAS within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
“It is heartbreaking to hear from families in my district who had children that were denied treatment by their insurance provider,” said Howrylak, of Troy. “Families should not have to fight for this life-changing treatment. My bill will ensure families receive the help they need when a child is diagnosed with PANDAS or PANS.”
In Michigan, families have experienced challenges securing treatment for their children with PANS. The Troyers, from Burr Oak, were one of the few lucky enough to receive behavioral and medical treatment for their son Landry.
“It was touching to hear their story. They have somebody like Landry, who is not just a number or a theory, but an example” said Miller, of Sturgis. “As a father of two daughters, I couldn’t imagine having doctors tell me they can’t provide treatment for my children because of an absence in coverage.”
HB 5035 was referred to the House Insurance Committee for further consideration. Similarly, HB 5036 was referred to the House Health Policy Committee for review.
