My husband lost his job of 27 years last November.  We fortunately were financially in a position to take advantage of COBRA.  I am unable to work full time because I take care of my 80 year old mother as well as my 18 year old Autistic son.  As a result, we looked into trying to purchase health insurance privately.  My husband and myself are both in good health but we were shocked to learn that we could not purchase insurance for my 18 year old son because of his Autism.

The good news is that my husband found another job that we have been told will offer us health benefits, however, at present, they do not have a plan and we are still on COBRA.  Assuming that we will, in fact, have a group health plan that will cover us, my son is required to take a full 12 units at college to be covered under our plan.  Since he has learning disabilities he is not able to keep up with 12 units.  Even as little as 6 units is difficult for him.  He applied for SSI benefits that would have entitled him to Medical benefits as well but was denied.  So, we have placed him in an inclusive transitional Autism program.  This covers the requirement of being a full-time student without forcing the 12 units on him.  We were very fortunate that such a program is offered where we live as it is not the case everywhere. 

Our concern is that if this company does not actually come through and provide medical benefits, we will have no way to provide medical insurance for our son once the COBRA has run out.  Or, if my husband is unable to work or loses his job. 

Needless to say, this has been a very unsettling time in our lives.  We have both been hard working individuals all of our lives.  I had a full-time job up until the time my mother took ill.  My husband has worked all of his life.  My son is healthier and more physically fit than most kids his age.  We never imagined that we could not continue to provide him with something as essential as health insurance. 

I know that other states such as New York has passed a law stating that health insurance cannot be denied because of Autism.  This, of course, is just one the many “uninsurable conditions” that exist in our current health care system.  Change is most certainly necessary.  No one should be denied the opportunity to purchase health insurance.