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.

SWEENEY TO INTRODUCE BILL GUARANTEEING SERVICE DOGS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOL

TRENTON – With the start of a new school year quickly approaching, Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney said today that he will introduce legislation this fall guaranteeing that all students with disabilities can bring a professionally-recommended service dog to school with them in order to get the most from their education.

“In addition to being ‘man’s best friend,’ trained dogs can make a major difference in the developmental progress of students with autism spectrum disorders or developmental disabilities,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester Cumberland and Salem. “This isn’t about giving students permission to bring pets into the classroom, but about giving students with disabilities access to the medically-recommended, results-oriented therapies that will allow them to achieve their potential. We need to make sure that these students have every opportunity to do the best they can in the classroom, and part of that is accommodating their unique therapeutic needs.”

SWEENEY:  CHRISTIE’S ‘MANDATE-FREE’ PLAN WILL SLASH MEDICAL THERAPY & TREATMENTS FOR NEW JERSEY CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

(SEWELL)  -- Senate Majority Leader Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) today said that Right Wing Conservative Republican Chris Christie’s proposal for “mandate-free” plans would be disastrous, since it would give health insurance companies in New Jersey free reign to drop coverage for critical treatment for children with autism.

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ROBERTS / VOSS / PRIETO ON NEW LAW PROVIDING INSURANCE COVERAGE OF AUTISM, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY TREATMENTS

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. and Assembly members Joan M. Voss and Vincent Prieto today issued a multimedia package on a new law they sponsored to make New Jersey the 15th state to mandate health insurers cover treatments for autism and developmental disabilities.

The bill was signed Aug. 13 by Gov. Jon S. Corzine during a public ceremony at PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick.

BURZICHELLI:  CHRISTIE HEALTH CARE PROPOSAL WILL HURT
NEW JERSEY CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

(PAULSBORO) – Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro) today said that Right Wing Conservative Republican Chris Christie’s proposal for “mandate-free” plans would be disastrous since it would allow health care companies in New Jersey to skirt covering critical treatment for children with autism.

VITALE-WEINBERG BILL TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFITS COVERAGE FOR AUTISM TREATMENT RECEIVES SENATE APPROVAL

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Loretta Weinberg which would require health insurers in New Jersey to provide coverage for screening for autism and other developmental disabilities as well as any medically-necessary occupational, physical and speech therapy, was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 35-0.

“New Jersey has one of the highest rates of autism incidence in the entire country, and we have to do more for families struggling to get their loved ones the treatment they need to mitigate the effects of the disorder,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “Insurance companies have a sacred responsibility to provide access to medically-necessary and scientifically proven care which can help improve outcomes for autistic children. Through this legislation, we’re making sure that insurers live up to that responsibility and cover the treatment and therapy which will make a difference in the lives of autistic children.”

VITALE-WEINBERG BILL TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFITS COVERAGE FOR AUTISM TREATMENT APPROVED IN ASSEMBLY

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Loretta Weinberg which would require health insurers in New Jersey to provide coverage for screening for autism and other developmental disabilities as well as any medically-necessary occupational, physical and speech therapy, was approved by the Assembly today by a vote of 71-4, with one abstention.

“With one of the highest rates of prevalence in the entire country, autism spectrum disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the Garden State,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “New Jersey must take the initiative to make sure children with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities have access to the treatment and therapies which can make a difference in their lives. This bill is about holding health insurers to their obligation of providing coverage for medically-necessary treatments, including those that may hold promise for children living with autism.”

ASSEMBLY PASSES ROBERTS/PRIETO/VOSS BILL FOR INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM-SPECTRUM TREATMENTS

(TRENTON) - Legislation Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr., Assemblyman Vincent Prieto and Assemblywoman Joan Voss sponsored to require health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary treatments of autism-spectrum disorders today passed the General Assembly.

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ROBERTS, VOSS & ADVOCATES COMMENTARY ON ADVANCEMENT OF BILL PROVIDING COVERAGE OF AUTISM TREATMENTS

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., today issued a multimedia package on legislation he sponsored with Assembly members Joan M. Voss and Vincent Prieto to require health insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary treatments of disorders on the autism spectrum.

The measure (A-2238) follows the 2007 enactment of seven laws that made New Jersey a national leader in providing support to families with autistic members.  It would require health insurers to cover the expenses of treatments deemed medically necessary for autism-spectrum disorders, which include Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger's Disorder and Rhett's Syndrome.  Insurance coverage would be extended to physical, speech and occupational therapies, as well as behavioral interventions.

VITALE-WEINBERG BILL TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFITS COVERAGE FOR AUTISM TREATMENT ADVANCES IN COMMITTEE

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Loretta Weinberg which would require health insurers in New Jersey to provide coverage for screening for autism and other developmental disabilities as well as any medically-necessary occupational, physical and speech therapy, was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee today.

“Autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities can cause an enormous strain, not just on the child affected, but on the parents looking to provide every opportunity for their autistic son or daughter,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Chairman of the Senate Health Committee. “Behavioral intervention can mean the difference between a lifetime of communications and learning difficulties, and the possibility of overcoming many of the difficulties associated with autism and other developmental disabilities. Health insurers have a responsibility to give kids access to the sort of treatments and therapies which can make a major difference in their lives.”