State Representatives Ted Celeste and Nancy Garland
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Contact: Jeff Wise, Rep. Celeste’s Legislative Aide (614) 644-6005 or
Jennifer Dillard, Rep. Garland’s Legislative Aide (614) 644-6002
Rep. Celeste and Garland’s Autism Bill Passes House
Legislation Expands Insurance Coverage to Help Families Dealing with Autism
COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives today approved legislation to expand insurance coverage for autism sponsored by State Representatives Ted Celeste (D-Grandview Heights) and Nancy Garland (D-New Albany). The legislation passed the House with a vote of 57-39.
“Today’s vote has been a long time coming,” Rep. Celeste said. “The House’s action will help thousands of families across Ohio avoid choosing between forsaking crucial services and going into debt for health care costs.”
“This is an important first step to enable individuals to get the healthcare services and treatment they need” Rep. Garland said. “We now turn our attention to the Senate, where we hope they will take swift action to pass House Bill 8,” Rep. Garland added. “We look forward to working with the Senators to help these families.”
House Bill 8 requires insurance companies cover the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Currently, under Ohio law, insurance companies are allowed to explicitly exclude coverage for children and adults with the disorder.
ASD is a complex, lifelong, neurobiological disorder, involving impairments in communication, social, and behavior domains. It can be devastating to a family, but it is treatable. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, one in 150 individuals born today will be diagnosed with ASD, making it more common than all types of pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.
Many families of those affected by autism filled the House Gallery to witness this historic vote. House Bill 8 now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.
###
|
|
Newsletters
Subscribe
Print
Share Page
