One after another, supporters of Senate Bill 167 pleaded for help.

Several teachers, medical professionals, and parents of autistic children all testified Tuesday that the bill would help Missouri families.

The bill stops insurance companies from refusing care to children with autism.  Supporters say insurance companies discriminate against families with autistic children.

"We are unable to receive any behavioral therapies, such as ABA therapy because we can't afford it," said Sarah Hannars, the mother of a son with autism.  Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy measures behavior and teaches functional skills. Hannars says her yearly medical bills are more than half the family's income.

Sen. Scott T. Rupp, who introduced the bill, says one out of every 150 children is diagnosed with autism according to the CDC.

"We have numerous parents telling stories saying, 'I'm going bankrupt trying to provide my child with coverage and therapy,'" Sen. Rupp said. "And they're saying, 'well, why do I have health insurance if they won't cover these things?'"

One committee member says the bill still needs work to pass through the Small Business, Insurance, and Industry Committee.

State Senator Jason Crowell confronted autism lobbyists saying they've ripped the guts out of the bill.

"You've so exempted the meat of the bill," Sen. Corwell said at the hearing. "The exceptions have basically killed the mandate."

However, it's a mandate that Hanners hopes will live on.

"I just think it's time to stop discriminating," Hanners said. "Because my son has an autism diagnosis he can't get treatment for it."

No action was taken at the meeting. Only supporters were allowed to speak Tuesday because they traveled from all over the state.  All of the opponents in the room were lobbyists for insurance companies. They will give their side of the bill Tuesday at one.