Parents’ options for insuring their kids, especially those with pre-existing conditions, have improved considerably in recent years, though more in some states than in others.

An increasing number of states are now requiring insurers to cover treatment related to Autism. In the states that are implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage when their parent buys a new health insurance policy. This protection will expand to both new and existing policies starting in 2014 if the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the Act.

Much of the credit for these quality-of-family-life improvements goes to hard work by parents of children with medical conditions. To track the progress of health insurance reform implementation in the United States, click here.