State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge,
co-chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee,
today welcomed the signature of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy – representing official
enactment – of two new health care initiatives.
Crisco said the two new laws were among his priorities
for this year’s session: to expand biomedical research funds to cover
stroke research and extend health insurance coverage for those on the
autism spectrum.
With regard to research into causes and treatment of stroke, Crisco said Connecticut’s Biomedical Research Fund was
originally meant to supplement funding from the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) but over time, with drastic cuts at the federal level,
Connecticut’s program has largely supplanted NIH
grants.
“Researchers already know that several
risk factors with regard to stroke include high blood pressure,
atherosclerosis, and tobacco use, each of which aligns perfectly with
the original purpose of the Biomedical Research Fund,”
Crisco said. “But the debilitating fallout from stroke
depends on which part of the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, and
for how long, so there’s a world of research still waiting to be done.”
“There are more than seven million
stroke survivors in the United States who are recovering, but additional
research is needed to help them – and new stroke patients – do so more
quickly and more thoroughly,” Crisco added.
The
other new law, to ensure health insurance coverage for autism patients
in Connecticut, was prompted by a concern that some patients might lose
their benefits based upon new diagnosis
criteria expected imminently from the American Psychiatric Association.
“Connecticut leads the nation providing
for those with autism and their families; with this new law we
underscore our long-term commitment to help the families of those
afflicted with autism, especially children,” Crisco added.
“This will provide families some measure of
assurance that their coverage will continue no matter what revisions
are made in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders (DSM).”
“I’m grateful for the support of
legislators, leadership, and the governor throughout the process leading
to enactment of these laws,”
Crisco said.
This post is taken from a press release from Crisco's office.
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