Autism coverage mandated in California under bill signed by Brown

Gov. Jerry Brown approved a measure Sunday that will require health plans to include coverage for autism as a medical benefit.

Insurers will be required to cover the treatments only until the federal healthcare law signed by President Obama is implemented. If the federal government does not provide coverage for the treatments outlined in the bill by July 2014, the state autism-coverage mandate will expire.

Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), the author of the bill, hailed Brown’s signature as "a critical victory for thousands of California children and families. For many of them, having this therapy covered by their insurance is the difference between despair and hope."

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--Anthony York in Sacramento