SENATOR FUSCHILLO ATTENDS AUTISM WALK AT JONES BEACH
Thousands of Volunteers Join Senator Fuschillo’s Call to Enact Autism Insurance Reform in New York State
Photo caption: Senator Fuschillo thanks the over 25,000 walkers at the annual “Long Island Walk Now For Autism” at Jones Beach for helping to raise funds for autism research. Senator Fuschillo also called on New York State to enact an autism insurance reform law to ensure that children with autism receive coverage for their treatment costs.
State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) recently attended Autism Speaks’ annual “Long Island Walk Now For Autism” at Jones Beach State Park, where over 25,000 people walked to raise money for research that aims to find a cure for autism spectrum disorders.
Senator Fuschillo thanked the walkers for their efforts and congratulated Merrick resident Michael Giangregorio, who served as Chairman of the Walk, on putting together a successful event.
The walkers also joined Senator Fuschillo in calling for a law that provides insurance coverage for autism treatment costs for children. Right now, parents who have children with autism are forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket to pay for their child’s treatment costs because insurance companies routinely deny coverage. Legislation Senator Fuschillo is sponsoring would require insurance companies to provide coverage of these medically approved treatments to children ages 21 and under. Thousands of walkers signed petitions carried by Autism Speaks volunteers in support of the measure. Assemblyman Dave McDonough (19th Assembly District), who joined Senator Fuschillo at the walk, is a supporter of the bill in the Assembly.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Patients typically have difficulties interacting with others, communicating both verbally and non-verbally, and engaging in leisure or play activities.
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