DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Pat Magilvy of Clayton knows firsthand the difference between having and not having insurance coverage for education, supplies and health maintenance for those afflicted with diabetes.

Her daughter, Sarah, 18, has coverage that pays for 90 percent of the bills, Magilvy said.

Magilvy's sister, however, has limited coverage that doesn't pay for needed supplies, she said. They cost her sister an estimated $700 a month, Magilvy said.

"She (the sister) doesn't go on vacation," Magilvy said.

Magilvy is cheering for legislation introduced last week that would require insurance coverage for education, supplies and health maintenance for those with diabetes. Ohio is one of only four states that does not require such coverage, according to the American Diabetes Association.

"Diabetes affects 700,000 Ohioans and almost every family in some way," State Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, sponsor of the Senate bill said in a press release. Rep. Michele Schneider, R-Madeira, is the House sponsor.

Supporters have tried and failed previously to pass such legislation since 1994, but this year's proposal has the support of new Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland.

However, Ty Pine, legislative director for the National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio, said his group is "strongly opposed." He said his group, which represents 36,000 small businesses, is looking for ways to make health insurance more accessible and affordable but that mandating coverage for diabetes would mean that coverage for some other condition would be removed from policies.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1608 or whershey@DaytonDailyNews.com.