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Governor Jindal signs autism bill into law

Posted: July 2, 2008 03:20 PM EDT

Updated: July 3, 2008 12:23 PM EDT

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_Jindal Signs Autism Bill_

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By _Caroline Moses_ (mailto:cmoses@...)

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has signed a bill

mandating health insurance coverage for children with autism. The bill was

sponsored by State Representative lin Foil, who is the father of an

autistic child.

The new law will require health insurance coverage for the diagnosis and

treatment of autism disorders in patients under age 17. The benefits could not

exceed $36,000 per year and $144,000 per lifetime.

Parents of autistic children testified before the state legislature during

this past legislative session, urging lawmakers to approve the measure. The

measure passed unanimously through both the House of Representatives and

Senate.

Parents said the high cost associated with treating autism, left many in a

financial struggle. Jindal said he passed the measure, in part, because of his

own child, who was born with a heart condition.

The governor said he understands what it is like to have a child with health

problems and did not want parents to have to worry about the high cost of

medical treatment for their children. If you're a parent struggling with a

disabled child and need help, call " Families Helping Families of Greater Baton

Rouge at 216-7474.

" Ms. Michele "

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