Georgia Senate attaches autism language to cancer drug bill

Newly created cancer drugs that can be taken orally would be less expensive under legislation approved unanimously Thursday by the Georgia Senate.

The chamber, however, attached a separate piece of legislation to House Bill 943 that would require health insurance policies sold in Georgia to cover behavioral therapy for children 6 and under who have been diagnosed with autism.

The bill otherwise would require insurance companies that provide coverage for intravenous cancer medications to charge no more than a $200 co-pay for medications taken orally. Most plans in the state cover no more than 70 percent or 80 percent of the cost, which can be as high as $10,000 according to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Lee Hawkins, R-Gainesville.