Undeterred by California's remaining $8 billion budget deficit, Democratic lawmakers Wednesday unveiled a package of eight bills to address the dramatic rise in diagnosis of children with autism.
The legislation was the result of three years of public hearings around the state by the Legislature's Commission on Autism, consisting of health experts, educators and families affected by the nation's fastest-growing developmental disability.
Once considered rare, autism is now more prevalent than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and pediatric AIDS combined -- and affects one of every 150 children and one out every 94 boys.
"Virtually everyone in California knows a family member, friend, co-worker or neighbor struggling with challenges surrounding autism and its related problems," Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata said at a Capitol news conference.
Perata, D-Oakland, authored the resolution that created the autism commission, and is carrying the lead bill in the package.
SB 1563 would direct the state Department of Managed Care and Department of Insurance to develop recommendations to ensure that health plans and insurers provide equitable coverage for autism and other developmental disabilities.
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