Wisconsin Governor Doyle Urges Lawmakers to Pass Autism, Smokefree Legislation Before the End of the Year

December 03, 2007 -- Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today called on lawmakers to act next week on legislation to provide autism treatment and make all public places smokefree. Both houses of the legislature will be in session next week before adjourning for the end of the year.

“Before the end of the year, lawmakers should act to make autism treatment affordable for families and make all public places smokefree,” Governor Doyle said. “Families dealing with autism are faced with an impossible choice between doing nothing and risking their financial future. Wisconsin should not become the ashtray of the Midwest. Our neighboring states are becoming smokefree and Legislators need to act now to make public places smokefree. The legislature should not delay another day on these important issues.”

Governor Doyle has long championed efforts requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of treatments essential for children with autism. Autism treatment services are already covered in 18 states. Today, Governor Doyle called on the legislature to act on this issue and reduce the burden on thousands of hard-working families across the state.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects thousands of Wisconsin children at a rate of more than 1 in 200 children. Until recently, autism was considered a life-long disability with poor prognosis. Now, with early and appropriate treatment children can see dramatic improvements. Insurance companies are not required to cover the costs of these treatments and families across the state must pay thousands of out-of-pocket dollars creating a tremendous financial burden.

For nearly a year, Governor Doyle has called for comprehensive smokefree legislation that would ban smoking in all public places. Secondhand smoke is responsible for tens of thousands of death each year and is a proven cause of lung cancer, heart disease, and illness in infants and children. Next year, half of all the states in the country will have enacted smokefree legislation including Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio. Governor Doyle urged the legislature to enact smokefree legislation that bans smoking in all public buildings, workplaces, restaurants, and taverns.

In his budget, Governor Doyle increased the cost of cigarettes and invested $30 million in smoking cessation and prevention efforts. Studies show that the cigarette tax increase will prevent some 65,800 Wisconsin kids alive today from smoking; spur 33,000 Wisconsin smokers to quit for good; save nearly 30,000 Wisconsin residents from smoking-caused deaths; produce more than $1.4 billion in long-term health care savings; and raise about $227 million a year in new state revenue.

Governor Doyle called on the legislature to act before the end of the year to prioritize the health of children, the financial well-being of families, and the improvement of public health.

For more information on which states have already taken action visit:
http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=12602.

Source: Wisconsin Governor

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