ASSEMBLYMAN CASTELLI JOINS
SENATOR GILLIBRAND

TO SUPPORT PASSAGE OF FEDERAL
LEGISLATION
ON AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
 
 

L-R: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Nita Lowey,
Assemblyman
Mike Spano and Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli join together to laud
passage of
the landmark autism legislation passed by the New York State
Legislature and
call for passage of companion Federal legislation sponsored by Senator
Gillibrand and Congresswoman Lowey.
 
           
Assemblyman
Robert J. Castelli (R, C, I - Goldens Bridge) joined Senator Kirsten
Gillibrand,
Congresswoman Nita Lowey, and Assemblyman Mike Spano at an
autism-awareness press
conference in White Plains. The purpose for the press conference was to
highlight
passage of recent landmark State Legislation regarding autism spectrum
disorders and to introduce companion Federal legislation by Senator
Gillibrand
to close the remaining gaps in insurance coverage for all New Yorkers.
 
           
“A
diagnosis of autism presents real challenges for parents and children,”
Castelli said.  “It is important for
state and local governments to enact legislation that will enhance the
lives of
the growing number of children with autism spectrum disorders to ensure
that
they receive the care and support they deserve.”
 
Castelli
and
Spano were congratulated by Senator Gillibrand after helping pass the
landmark
Autism Insurance Bill in the State Legislature, which requires
insurance
companies cover autism treatment, Assembly Bill A10372A.
 
The
bill
provides support and assistance to children and families living with
autism by
expanding health-insurance coverage for the screening, diagnosis and
treatment
of autism and closes a significant gap in insurance coverage for
individuals
with autism and other developmental disabilities. Castelli is also a
co-sponsor
of Assembly Bill A6888A, which would expand the required health
insurance
coverage for the treatment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders
to
include many therapies and treatments not included under A10372A.
 
“The
rate of
autism is on the rise and the cost of treatment is increasing
dramatically,”
Senator Gillibrand said. “We know that early intervention is one of the
best
ways to ensure a child’s long term success, but thousands of families
simply
cannot afford the cost of treatment. New York
has taken an important step, but we have more work to do to make
quality
treatment affordable.”
 
During
the
forum, Assemblyman Castelli described how autism and other development
disabilities
are affecting many of New York’s
children and families as well as the need to enact legislation on both
the
state and federal level to assist these families with diagnosis and
treatment.
 
Peter
Bell,
executive vice president of programs and services at Autism Speaks,
said that “Following
the unanimous passage of a landmark bill to end insurers’
discrimination
against people with autism, New York
is poised to set an important example. 
With Governor Paterson’s signature, we will have removed a
significant
barrier to treatment for thousands of New Yorkers with autism and
provided
critical financial relief to their families. We strongly support
Senator
Gillibrand’s efforts to stop this discrimination at the federal level.”
 
           
Assemblyman
Castelli noted that the legislation could not have been passed at a
more urgent
time with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders dramatically
increasing in
recent years in Westchester County
and throughout New York State.  In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention now estimates that the number of children with autism is
approximately one in 110 nationwide, up from 2006 estimates that had
the figure
at about one in 150 children.
 
 
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