Senate passes Lawson bill to make pediatric autoimmune coverage permanent

 

STATE HOUSE — The Senate passed a bill today sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Valarie Lawson that would make permanent a pilot program passed in 2022 that requires insurance coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric syndrome.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, children may be diagnosed with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) when obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorder or both suddenly appear following a streptococcal infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. The symptoms are usually dramatic, happen “overnight and out of the blue,” and can include motor or vocal tics or both and obsessions, compulsions or both. In addition to these symptoms, children may become moody or irritable, experience anxiety attacks or show concerns about separating from parents or loved ones.

“We have seen this pilot program work. It is time to make it permanent so families have peace of mind that their coverage will continue,” said Senator Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence). “The stress and uncertainty that arises with PANDAS can be extremely challenging for children and their families. Removing the sunset provision of this bill will make sure that children suffering from PANDAS get the medical help they need regardless of their family’s ability to pay out-of-pocket.”

In 2022, the General Assembly passed and the governor signed legislation (2022-S 2203B, 2022-H 7503Baa) mandating insurance coverage for the treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. This requirement, however, is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. Senator Lawson’s legislation (2025-S 0473) would make this coverage permanent.

Matthew H., an East Bay resident who has suffered from OCD, provided testimony in support of the bill to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

“When I finally started outpatient treatment at Butler Hospital, I noticed multiple peers who traced their OCD back to physical sickness. I now think about whether their symptoms began as children who contracted strep throat or scarlet fever, but whose symptoms began before the initial legislation’s enactment. It upsets me to think that an inability to pay for treatment might have prolonged their suffering, and could do the same for children if mandated coverage is allowed to expire,” said Matthew. “No one deserves psychological distress from contracting strep throat, least of all children because their parents cannot pay for treatment. Removing this sunset provision will prevent this injustice and allow more children to live freer and fuller lives.”

The bill now heads to the House for consideration where Rep. Matthew S. Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence) has introduced similar legislation (2025-H 5625).

 

The lawyer for Ghislaine [[ GHEE-lane ]] Maxwell says she told the Justice Department about "100 different people" linked to her former accomplice Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking to reporters outside Maxwell's Florida prison, David Markus added "This was the first opportunity she's ever been given to answer questions about what happened." Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche talked to Maxwell over two days, and has not released any info from the interviews.        Extreme heat is impacting millions across the country. The most intense heat moved to the Northeast today as the region is seeing heat index values rise to the upper 90s. New York City, Washington, DC and Boston are all seeing high temperatures.        One person is behind bars after a shooting that left one person dead on the campus of the University of New Mexico. A shelter in place order was issued for students in the aftermath of the incident, in which one other person was shot. That person was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.        FEMA is planning to send states 608-million dollars to construct immigrant detention centers. The funding is part of the Trump administration's push to expand capacity to hold illegal immigrants. FEMA announced it's starting a "detention support grant program" that would cover the costs to build temporary facilities. The agency says the funds will be distributed by FEMA in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.        Former New York Republican Congressman George Santos has begun his seven-year prison sentence. The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed Friday afternoon that Santos is in custody, after turning himself in, at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey. He pleaded guilty to federal wire theft and identity fraud and was also ordered to repay more than 370-thousand-dollars to his victims.        The Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in New York on Sunday. Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Dick Allen, Dave Parker and Billy Wagner will all be inducted into the Hall. Suzuki, Sabathia and Wagner were elected by the writers, while Allen and Parker were elected by the Classic Baseball Era Committee.