Roberts Lauds Inclusion of Autism, Behavioral Health Coverage in Senate Committee Version of Health Reform Bill

ROBERTS LAUDS INCLUSION OF AUTISM, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COVERAGE IN SENATE COMMITTEE VERSION OF HEALTH REFORM BILL

Praises U.S. Sen. Menendez for Key Progress

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. on Monday said he was thrilled the Senate Finance Committee has included vital coverage for autism and behavioral health treatments in the latest version of the health insurance reform bill.

Roberts - whose legislation requiring health insurers to cover treatments for autism and developmental disabilities in New Jersey recently became law - hailed U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) for getting the coverage included in the national legislation. Roberts also called on Congress to maintain the autism and behavioral health provision as the bill advances.

"We knew our new law was crucial to giving struggling parents the ability to give their children the early treatments so important to helping them breakthrough these disorders," said Roberts (D-Camden). "But we also knew our initiative would help push the issue into the ongoing national debate and I thank Sen. Menendez for getting the job done."

A Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study based on research in 14 states found one in every 150 children diagnosed with autism, with New Jersey showing the highest rate at one in 94.

Menendez's initiative would add behavioral health treatment to the minimum benefits package that all plans must provide in proposed new health insurance exchanges. The insurance exchanges would be a pool of plans available to families without employer-sponsored insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or insurance through the Veterans Administration.

"As we heard during the heart-wrenching testimony on our new law, parents of autistic and disabled children are bankrupting their families to provide their children with the therapies so crucial to their success," Roberts said. "This is an all-important issue for New Jerseyans. The more ways we ensure this coverage is there for those who need it, the better it is for our residents."

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