Government Relations News

Autism Speaks Applauds Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal for Signing Autism Insurance Reform Legislation into Law

BATON ROUGE, LA (July 16, 2008) -- Autism Speaks today commended Governor Bobby Jindal for signing into law HB 958, which makes Louisiana one of eight states, to date, that have ended insurance discrimination against children with autism. The law requires insurers to cover up to $36,000 a year for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other necessary treatments until age 17. Governor Jindal formally signed the bill at a ceremony at the Greater Baton Rouge Families Helping Families office. An employee, Toni Peters, was instrumental in bringing the idea for the legislation to the attention of Representative Franklin J. Foil of Baton Rouge, the bill's sponsor.

HB 958 requires group health insurance plans and Office of Group Benefits programs to provide coverage of the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. The coverage is for a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year (adjusted for inflation on an annual basis) with a lifetime limit of $144,000. There is no limit on the number of visits an individual may make to an autism services provider.

In addition to Rep. Foil, Autism Speaks thanked bill co-authors Rep. Patrick Williams of Shreveport and Sen. Don Cravins of Opelousas for their leadership in helping to secure unanimous support in the House and Senate.

"Thanks to this legislation, children with autism in our state will get the services they need and deserve, while the long-term cost of their care to society is dramatically reduced,” said Shelley Hendrix,Autism Speaks National Director of State Advocacy and a Louisiana parent of a son with autism. “This is a major victory for children with autism and families who are sometimes forced to sacrifice everything they have in order to pay for critical autism therapies.”

"I am thrilled that Louisiana is taking the lead on helping children with autism,” said Rep. Foil. “This legislation will give families more access to expensive, but important, medical treatment."

Autism insurance reform legislation has now been enacted in eight states across the country, with many others currently considering legislative action. Last week, Pennsylvania became the latest state to address the tremendous financial burden faced by families affected by autism when Governor Ed Rendell signed HB 1150 into law.

2008

Autism Speaks Applauds Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell for Signing into Law the Strongest Autism Insurance Reform Legislation in the Nation
July 9, 2008

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal Signs HB 958 into Law
July 2

Autism Insurance Bill is Moving Forward in New Jersey
June 6

Autism Speaks Applauds Florida Governor Charlie Crist and State Legislators for Passing Autism Insurance Legislation
May 2

Autism Speaks Applauds Sen. Menendez's New Plan To Support Families Dealing With Autism
April 28

Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Michigan State Legislature
April 3

Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Louisiana
March 28

Autism Speaks Joins the Arizona Autism Community in Hailing Governor Janet Napolitano and State Legislators for Enacting Autism Insurance Legislation
March 21

Dodd/ Collins Amendment Passes
March 14

Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Missouri State General Assembly
March 13

Senator Dodd Introduces the Disability Savings Act of 2008 at the Autism Speaks Hill Day
March 11

Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Florida State Legislature
March 7

Elizabeth Emken Appointed to Florida Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders
March 7

Insurance Bill Introduced in Connecticut State Legislature
February 29

Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Illinois State Legislature
February 21

Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Mississippi State Legislature
February 7

Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Arizona State Legislature
January 29

Subcommittee Holds Hearing on the Role of Medicaid for Americans with Disabilities
January 16

2007

Autism Speaks Announces Multi-State Insurance Legislation Campaign
December 27

President Signs Bill Authorizing Funding of Combating Autism Act
December 26

US House of Representatives Approves Funding for Combating Autism Act
December 19

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee Holds First Meeting
December 3

HHS Secretary Leavitt Announces Members of the New Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
November 28

Veto Override Loses by Two Votes
November 20

Combating Autism Act Funding Jeopardized
November 18

Autism Speaks Statement of Support for Budget Veto Override
November 13

Joint Committee Approves Increase in Budget for Autism Services and Treatment
November 1

Senate HELP Committee Releases Thimerosal Report
September 28

National Public Radio Covers New Jersey Autism Case
September 26

New Jersey Governor Corzine Signs Bills on Autism
September 12

New York Governor Spitzer Signs 'Burden of Proof' Act
August 16

House Approves $8 million for the Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Program
August 5

Autism Speaks Applauds Speaker Dennis O'Brien and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for Passage of Historic State Autism Legislation
July 17

Critical Vote Approaches On Key Pennsylvania Insurance Bill
June 29

Senate Subcommittee Approves Funding for CAA
June 21

Texas Governor Signs Autism Insurance Bill Into Law
June 15

South Carolina Autism Insurance Bill Passed
June 7

Autism Speaks Leadership Joins Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis O'Brien in Announcing Introduction of Historic State Autism Legislation
April 18

2006

Autism Speaks Lauds Congressional Approval of Landmark $7.5 Million Military Appropriation for Autism Research
September 26

Santorum: 'Past Time' for Help on Autism
June 16

Autism Speaks Lauds Unprecedented House of Representatives Military Appropriation for Autism Research
June 13

Board Member Ann Gibbons Testifies Before Senate about NIH Budget
May 19

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