Ava's Law: Ensuring Access to Autism Services in Georgia

🧩Ava's Law mandates insurance coverage for autism therapies in Georgia, benefiting families like the Bullards.

👩‍⚖️The Bullards spent years lobbying for insurance coverage for their daughter and other children with autism.

💸Ava's Law not only mandates coverage but also provides a high Medicaid reimbursement rate, attracting providers to Georgia.

👥Access to mental health professionals is limited in Georgia, with a shortage of psychiatrists and psychologists.

🏛️Child welfare advocates call for similar approaches to funding and coverage for other behavioral health care services.

What is Ava's Law?

—Ava's Law is a legislation in Georgia that mandates insurance coverage for autism therapies, benefiting children with autism and their families.

Who led the effort for Ava's Law?

—Anna and Ava Bullard led the seven-year effort to advocate for insurance coverage for children with autism in Georgia.

What does Ava's Law provide besides coverage?

—Ava's Law also provides a high Medicaid reimbursement rate, encouraging providers to offer autism therapies in Georgia.

What is the situation with access to mental health professionals in Georgia?

—There is a shortage of mental health professionals in Georgia, with nearly half of the counties lacking a full-time psychiatrist or psychologist.

What are child welfare advocates calling for?

—Child welfare advocates are calling for similar funding and coverage approaches for other behavioral health care services in Georgia.

00:06Anna and Ava Bullard embark on a seven-year effort to advocate for insurance coverage for autism therapies in Georgia.

00:59The Bullards struggle to access services for Ava's autism, as the prescribed therapies are not covered by insurance or Medicaid in Georgia.

01:13The Bullards turn to applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy, which shows significant progress in Ava's development.

02:17Ava's Law is signed in Georgia, mandating insurance coverage for autism therapies and providing a high Medicaid reimbursement rate.

02:27Child welfare advocates highlight the need for similar funding and coverage approaches in other areas of behavioral health care.