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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2008
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White and Orie Hail Support of Autism Speaks for HB1150

Bill clears Appropriations Committee, headed for floor vote

Senator Don White, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee and Senator Jane C. Orie, Majority Whip, issued the following statements after the Senate Appropriations Committee and Autism Speaks, a national organization, both endorsed the amended version of House Bill 1150 today (June 27).

"Today, House Bill 1150 achieved two major milestones. First, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported out the bill, which puts it in place for a final vote by the full Senate later this weekend. I am optimistic that we have reached a consensus on a package that should receive the support of the General Assembly and make its way to the Governor's desk for enactment into law," said Senator White.

Senator Orie continued, "As Co-Chair of the House and Senate Autism Caucus I want to thank Senator White and Autism Speaks for working with me on this legislation and for supporting House Bill 1150.  We need to address this issue on behalf of the children affected by autism.  About 1 in 150 children in America suffer from some form of autism."

Senator White added, "I am also very pleased that this legislation has received the endorsement of Autism Speaks, a national advocacy group for the families of autistic children. This endorsement is a clear indication that we are moving forward on the right track to putting in place commonsense legislation that maintains a proper balance between providing families of autistic children with the care and services they need without placing a potential financial impact on small businesses and individual health care insurance premium payers."  concluded Senator White.

Contact:

Joe Pittman (Senator White) (717) 787-8724
Michael Sarfert (Senator Orie) (717) 787-6538