Gov. John Kasich signed a bill on Wednesday, mandating private health insurance to cover autism-related expenses. Reggie Fields, the co-founder of the Living Beyond Autism Foundation, said that the signing on Wednesday was a huge step forward. It is going to give an opportunity for families to get access to certain types of care that will be covered by their insurance now, Fields said. Fields son Grant was diagnosed with autism when he was 3. He said that several years ago, information about autism was not widely available, and medical services were not covered by insurance. Autism diagnoses have risen nearly 80 percent in the past decade. You know a lot of things we wanted to do for our child just wasnt financially feasible for us, Fields said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that one out of 88 children have symptoms of autism. The new law will provide access to early childhood therapy for thousands in Ohio beginning next year. It will mandate that private health insurance cover Applied Behavior Analysis for autism.. Benefits also now are available to state employees. Business groups, like the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, remain opposed to the new law. Originally posted … Continue reading →

Credit: NBC4 Governor John Kasich joined Autism advocates Wednesday morning to celebrate a new mandate for health insurance coverage of Autism services. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Governor John Kasich joined Autism advocates Wednesday morning to celebrate a new mandate for health insurance coverage of Autism services. The new mandate will provide access to early childhood therapy for thousands of Ohio children beginning in 2014. On Wednesday, lawmakers and Autism advocates joined Kasich for a ceremonial signing of the order. The lack of coverage to date has forced many families with autistic children to make difficult choices about how much, if any, treatment they can afford. "So now as a parent, I'm forced to provide my son with limited resources, limited opportunities to appropriate care because that's what my family budget will allow," said Reggie Fields, a parent of an autistic child. The governor says he feels this is the right thing to do. Autism advocates call the directive their Christmas miracle. Just days before the holiday, Kasich announced that he would sign the executive order requiring insurance coverage for Autism treatments. Some business groups have opposed the new mandate because of the added cost to employee health insurance, and some claim … Continue reading →

Radio and TV presenter Andrew Marr is recovering in hospital after suffering a stroke, the BBC said. The 53-year-old broadcaster was taken ill on Tuesday and the hospital confirmed he had a stroke, the corporation said in a statement. "His doctors say he is responding to treatment," the statement said. "His family have asked for their privacy to be respected as he recovers. "His colleagues and the whole BBC wish him a speedy recovery." The BBC said that James Landale will present The Andrew Marr Show this Sunday. "We will continue to broadcast The Andrew Marr Show and Radio 4's Start The Week with guest presenters in his absence," the statement said. Many of Marr's colleagues in the media took to Twitter to express their sympathy. Fellow BBC politics presenter Andrew Neil wrote: "Very distressed to hear news about Andrew Marr. Best wishes for full and speedy recovery." Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee tweeted: "Andrew Marr, renaissance man, polymath, wise commentator, painter, runner, brilliant cook - and ace editor. Get well soon. Needed in public life." Read this article: BBC Broadcaster Andrew Marr Suffers Stroke … Continue reading →

9 January 2013 Last updated at 16:54 ET Broadcaster Andrew Marr is recovering in hospital after suffering a stroke, the BBC has confirmed. The journalist and television presenter was taken ill on Tuesday, the corporation said in a statement. "The hospital confirmed he has had a stroke. His doctors say he is responding to treatment," it said. His programmes, The Andrew Marr Show and Radio 4's Start The Week, will continue to be broadcast with guest presenters in his absence. The statement added: "His family have asked for their privacy to be respected as he recovers. "His colleagues and the whole BBC wish him a speedy recovery." Born in Glasgow, Marr, 53, began his career in journalism on The Scotsman newspaper in 1981, later moving to London to become its political correspondent. He was part of the team which launched The Independent in 1986, later becoming its editor. He joined the BBC as political editor, in May 2000. Continue reading here: BBC's Andrew Marr suffers stroke … Continue reading →