Hillary Clinton Announces Plan to Address Autism

Hillary Clinton is proposing on Tuesday a new autism initiative that would direct spending on screening and research, as well as require private insurers to cover services related to the disorder.

The plan, which Clinton will discuss at a town hill in Sioux City, IA on Tuesday afternoon, follows her rollout of a $2-billion annual program last month to address Alzheimer’s disease. The campaign has not released a total cost for autism initiative, but an aide said it would be paid for as a package with her other plans.

“As a country, we must make a priority of supporting the millions of Americans with autism, and their loved ones,” Clinton said of the autism initiative. “Too many American families are staying up at night worrying about their family members, especially children, who are living with autism.”

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Clinton’s plan would require private insurers to cover autism services and would push legislation to protect autistic children in schools from bullying, as well as mechanical and chemical restraints. She would also push for a nationwide early screening effort to ensure children, particularly those from minority backgrounds, get checked for autism.

The plan would also establish public-private partnerships to create job opportunities for students with autism.

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