HERSHEY, Pa. -- Christopher Waeltermann had just one question at a ceremonial signing of a bill to help people with autism: "Does this mean my autism is cured?"

No, but it does mean that insurance companies now will have to pay for medically necessary services for the 6,000 Pennsylvanians who are under 22 and have autism.

"Babies will be born today whose families will never face denials from insurance companies," said Jim Bouder, a founder of The Vista School, where Gov. Ed Rendell signed the bill yesterday.

Christopher, 10, of McCandless, was among about 100 people who attended the bill signing. His brother Alex, 8, also has autism and his mother, Cindy Waeltermann, is director of the Autism Center of Pittsburgh.

Mrs. Waeltermann said the law will make it easier for her children and others like them to receive speech therapy, occupational therapy and behavioral analyses.

Pennsylvania is the only state that picks up much of the costs of autism treatment when private insurance won't. The requirement for insurance companies to pay up to $36,000 a year for medically necessary treatment will free up state money to be used to help people with other disabilities, Mrs. Waeltermann said.

Insurance companies, though, have balked at the change, saying mandates usurp their control and cause rates to rise for everyone they cover.

Mr. Rendell said the law isn't just a way to shift costs to insurance companies, but a way to provide a better scope of care for people with autism.

The law was championed by House Speaker Dennis O'Brien, R-Philadelphia, whose nephew has autism.

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects development, social interaction and communication. It usually manifests before age 3 and is far more common in boys than in girls.