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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 74-5, receiving final legislative approval.

“In New Jersey, autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities have reached epidemic proportions,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. “While we move closer to understanding the causes for – and treatments of – autism every day, insurers have not lived up to their responsibility to make these new treatments accessible for struggling families. We need to make sure that the treatments which make a difference in the lives of autistic and developmentally-disabled individuals are within reach for those individuals who could reap the greatest benefit.”

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.”

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.”