MADISON, Wis. -- Time is running out for legislation that would mandate more private insurance coverage for the treatment of autism in the state of Wisconsin.

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To keep the pressure on, hundreds of families and Gov. Jim Doyle gathered at the state Capitol on Thursday morning to show support of requiring insurance companies to cover autism.

The bipartisan bill passed the Democrat-dominated Senate earlier this week but hasn't been scheduled by the Republican-controlled Assembly.

Some supporters of the measure said that they need health insurance for their autistic children because early intervention can make a huge difference in their development, WISC-TV reported.

However, with the legislative session nearing its end, time is running out. The Legislature will end its work for the year within two weeks.

At Thursday's rally at the state Capitol rotunda, Doyle urged the Assembly to pass the measure. The governor has been a strong advocate for the bill.

By Thursday evening, it was still far from clear if the Assembly Republicans will budge at all on their stance against another insurance mandate.

The measure faces opposition from the insurance industry and other businesses that fear it would raise premiums. Most insurance companies don't cover autism because it's classified as an emotional disorder rather than a neurological medical condition.

Supporters said that they're asking Assembly Republicans and Democrats to do what the Senate just did: Embrace each other and support families instead of insurance companies.

At the rally, Charlotte Bolle held her autistic daughter on Thursday while explaining their plight.

"We risk financial ruin," she said. "We're basically mortgaging our futures to get her the help she needs today."

Charlotte and Tony Bolle said that it took years to get 3-and-a-half-year-old Claudia diagnosed with autism, and now it might take $20,0000 a year of their own money to treat her properly.

Meanwhile, a young brother held up a picture of his non-verbal sister at the rally in hopes of getting some insurance help. His family and others want more private insurance coverage for autism because the wait for state paid therapy is too long, WISC-TV reported.

Holly Nollenberg said that she has a 2-year-old son who is autistic.

"You get the tear in your eye and heart hoping that they'll be able to live a typical life just like any other child, but without the services they need, that's not going to be possible," Nollenberg said.

Her son Noah is No. 355 on a state waiting list, which means it could be up to two years before the child gets the help professionals say he needs.

More insurance coverage would solve the problem, but so far, all but two or three Republicans in the Assembly reject that idea as another too costly mandate.

Tony Bolle disputes the assertion that all premiums will go up if the additional coverage is mandated. He points to other public costs if nothing is done.

"How do we put a price on an individual who if she doesn't learn to speak may actually be on Social Security, Medicare and be in an institution because she cannot function in a normal society?" Tony Bolle said.

A spokesman for the Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch said that the lawmaker has concerns about insurance mandates and where they stop.

Unidentified sources told WISC-TV that there was no compromise talk in the Republican caucus on Thursday and no plan to schedule the bill for the floor.

Democrats might try to do that next Wednesday, although 50 votes are needed to bring a bill directly to the floor for debate. A spokesman for Assembly Minority Leader Jim Kreuser said that Democratic legislators are "very confident" they have enough votes to pass the bill if they can just get it to the floor.