Montgomery, AL – New state laws taking effect Wednesday will provide more care for women with cancer, coordinate services for Alabamians with autism, and use state buildings to honor American military missing in action.
One law will make sure about 250 women annually become eligible for treatment of breast or cervical cancer through the state Medicaid program.
Previously only Medicaid-eligible women who were diagnosed at county health centers were eligible. The law's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Lea Fite of Jacksonville, says women diagnosed by their family physicians will now be eligible.
Another new law allows state-owned buildings and state parks that have American flags to add the POW-MIA flags if the flags are available free.
Another new law creates a council of government agencies to coordinate services available for autistic Alabamians.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)