Fighting Back Against Autism
Steve Geller has been a champion for children with developmental disabilities for decades. He introduced bills for many years to require insurance companies to pay for treatment of Autism, but the Insurance Industry was able to use their clout to defeat these bills.In 2008, Geller was in his last year in the Legislature, and had been elected by his Democratic colleagues as the Senate Minority (Democratic) Leader. Following an old tradition in the senate of giving retiring senior members one "going home" project, Geller was asked by the Senate Leadership what one thing he wanted to commemorate his long service. Traditionally, these are things such as having a building or road named after you, or, in better financial times, a onetime appropriation for a building, civic center, or comparable project. Geller rejected all of those options. "The only thing that I want is to pass the autism legislation" Geller said.
After extensive fighting with the Insurance Industry lobbyists, and with the help of people like Dan Marino, concerned parents, and groups such as Autism Speaks and the Centers for Autism and Related Disorders, the Autism bill was the last bill passed during the 2008 Legislative Session. "I started my legislative career helping children,[by passing the Amusement Ride Safety Act] and I finished my legislative career helping children", said Geller. "And that's a record I'm proud to stand on" he added.
As a result of Geller's hard work and commitment to this bill, his colleagues named the legislation "the Steven A. Geller Autism Treatment Act". Geller received legislative awards for his work for children from groups such as the Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, the Victory Center for Autism and Behavioral Challenges, the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, The Florida Education Association, the Broward County PTA, the Florida Association of School Social Workers, and others.
Click hereto read the text of the Steven Geller Autism Coverage Act signed into law.
