TALLAHASSEE - May 20, 2008 - Governor Charlie Crist continued a weeklong series of health care bill signings today by signing Senate Bill 2654, which increases benefits for autism and delevopmental therapies and enhances comsumer awareness of the benefits. Statistics show one in every 150 children develops an austism spectrum disorder, jumping to one in every 94 for boys.

"Autism affects thousands of Florida's families, and this legislation is a step in the right direction toward helping them receive much needed resources that will improve the quality of their children's lives," Governor Crist Said. "We are committed to giving our children the best possible means for success."

The legislation, known as the "Window of Opportunity Act," authorizes the Office of Insurance Regulation to convene a workgroup that includes health insurance carriers, self-insured employers, two designees of the Governor, one designee of the President of the Senate, and one designee of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The workgroup will negotiate an agreement between insurers and carriers that will include coverage, or increased coverage for therapies and behavior analysis, improves information to consumers regarding covered therapies, and protection for consumers denied claims due to developmental disabilities. Additionally, comsumer advisors will have the opportunity to review the agreement before it is finalized.

"Families across Florida for too long have had to go in to debt, mortgage their homes, or even worse, forego the very therapies necessary for their children to be successful later in life.," House sponsor Representative Ari Porth said. "Now, with the passage of the Window of Opportunity Act, lives will be impacted in the most positive ways, and families will not be torn apart desperately trying to afford therapies."

The legislation also creates, under the "Steven A. Geller Autism Coverage Act," a mandated benefit for autism coverage which will apply to any carrier that does not comply with the compact by April 1, 2010. The mandated benefit includes a $36,000 annual maximum and a $200,000 lifetime maximum for screening and therapy for autism.

"It is unconscionable that in the wealthiest nation in the world we are choosing to throw out children instead of healing them," bill sponsor Senator Steven Geller said. "We know how to heal children with autism. This legislation covers families with large group health insurance and is an important first step toward treating our children."

In March 2008, Governor Crist established the Governor's Task Force on Autism Spectrum Disorders to review the efforts of state and private organizations, encourage partnerships, information and resource sharing, and develop strategies for diagnosis and intervention. The Task Force was created to recommend a unified and coordinated agenda for addressing autism in Florida and to advance public policy for research, screening, education and treatment of autism. The Governor was joined today by Dan Marino, Hall of Fame quarterback for the Miami Dolhpins, and co-chair of the Task Force."

"For more than 10 years, families and friends of children with autism in the State of Florida have worked to assure that these children are not excluded from insurance coverage. Like hundrededs of others, I watched and hoped for the best, and in the final hour when the autism insurance reform bill was passed, I was so grateful," said Dan Marino. "With the signing of this bill by Governor Crist, thousands of children with autism in our state will have a chance at a better life. I am thankful for the leadership shown by Governor Crist and the sponsors of the bill, and to all supporters of the bill on both sides."