The News-Press is reporting that a bill in the Florida legislature is being reviewed that would provide enhanced funding to Florida children with autism. Parents in Florida are pushing for mandated autism coverage by insurance companies (like the parents who helped push through the Arizona autism insurance bill) and while this isn’t the inclusive plan that parents had hoped for, it is a step in the right direction.

From the News-Press article:

The proposed bill removes caps on full-pay KidCare participants so that any Florida family can buy health insurance that includes coverage for enhanced services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. It also expands KidCare benefits to include physical, speech and occupational therapy — and expands the age eligibility — so that younger children can get enhanced benefits.

Read the entire article here: New Florida Package Proposed to Enhance Coverage for Children with Autism

The following action alert was sent out by the Autism Speaks Arizona office. If you know of a family in Arizona who is receiving services through the Arizona Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) please point them to Autism News Direct so that they may take action to secure funding for their children.

The state budget (bill 2620) that was passed into law for fiscal year 2008 lacks protection against cuts to DDD funding which can jeopardize funding to autism treatments. What this means is that funds that are allocated to the DDD can be used to fill in deficits in other areas of the state’s budget. However, we know that early intensive intervention is essential for children with autism and since the DDD is the major funding source for such treatment, budget cuts of this nature would be devastating to the autism community. On behalf of the many children and families who are affected by autism, we ask that you please contact your legislators and urge them to protect DDD funding.
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