HFMA.org – Jan 05, 2009.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reports that state legislatures across the country enacted 31,000 laws in 2008, some of which become effective Jan. 1, 2009. The issues range from healthcare reform to criminal justice to labor practices.

Among the new health-related laws that became effective Jan. 1 are:

• A new law by the Connecticut General Assembly requiring health insurance policies in the state to cover physical, speech, and occupational therapy services to treat autism disorders if the policies cover these services for other diseases and conditions.
• A new Minnesota law establishing a statewide health improvement program that, among other things, creates healthcare homes, streamlines payments, and sets up an electronic prescription drug program.
• Another new law by the Connecticut General Assembly requiring that group comprehensive and health insurance policies extend coverage to children until the age of 26.

Read the NCSL release, which provides links to the legislation.

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