NEWSFLASH: Texas Legislature Passes Expansion of Insurance Coverage for Children with Autism!

F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E

Texas Legislature Passes Expansion Of Insurance Coverage for Texas Children with Autism
Effective Date: May 31, 2009
Contact: Mike Bernoski, Executive Director
512-402-5842 Phone;
media@texasautismadvocacy.org

Austin, Texas – The Texas legislature showed their support today for families by passing a measure to expand the age of mandatory insurance coverage for children with autism from the time of diagnosis to the 10th birthday. HB 451 expands on the existing law passed in 2007 which requires coverage for generally recognized autism services, including Applied Behavior Analysis. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder celebrated today and are urging the Governor [Perry] to sign this bill into law.

“It is hard to appreciate how much effort on the part of so many goes into passing a bill of this nature,” said Mike Bernoski, Executive Director of Texas Autism Advocacy. “The broad bipartisan support shows that Republicans and Democrats alike understand this is a family issue, and it moves Texas a significant step forward in its response to the growing crisis of autism.”

This is Texas Autism Advocacy’s second successful push to secure better insurance coverage for children with autism.

This legislation, authored by representatives Dr. Alma Allen (D-Houston), Eddie Lucio III (D-Brownsville) , and Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), and carried in the Senate by Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr (D-Brownsville) , author of the existing law which has been in effect since January 1, 2008, was a welcome relief to parents whose children were excluded by the first law because they were either too old or too young or the child of a teacher.

Taxpayers have something to cheer about as well. By expanding the number of children covered, the bill will triple the existing law’s $1.35 billion in lifetime savings to a projected $4.06 billion over the next 50 years.

“One in 150 children is diagnosed with autism. If we do not take care of our children now, we as Texans will suffer later,” Rep. Allen explained. “This bill will help the hardest working in Texas - those that deal with the challenges of raising a child with autism.”

“Early intervention has proven to be able to turn a child’s life completely around,” commented Senator Eddie Lucio Jr., “Now that we have a better understanding of the associated costs and benefits it is time to take the next step".

The Texas bill remains the only state insurance reform that has no dollar caps on the stipulated coverage which includes diagnostic testing, speech, OT, PT, as well as medical and behavior therapies.

Parents and teachers are eager for Governor Perry to sign the bill into law. This bill does not affect ERISA, Medicaid, or CHIP plans, however efforts are underway to address these plans as well.

To learn more about legislation and other initiatives, please visit www.texasautismadvocacy.org.

Texas Autism Advocacy’s mission: To seek to create systemic change by identifying practical solutions that will positively affect the lives of people affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

------

--"Don't mess with Texas". Congratulations.--

ACTION ALERT: The moment to ACT on HB 3000 is NOW!

Dear Oregon Autism Families and Advocates,

Our state of Oregon has a legislative session every two years.
This Spring, states all around us -

• New Mexico,
• Montana,
• Colorado and, as recently as this past weekend,
• Nevada,

have passed autism insurance reform legislation to provide their states' children with autism access to therapy coverage through health insurance.

Unless we get some significant traction on Oregon HB 3000 NOW, Oregon's children with autism will have to wait another two years before reform legislation can even be introduced again. HB 3000 provides coverage for medically necessary, evidence based therapies and treatments prescribed by your child's treating physician including ABA therapy, speech and OT.

Today is the moment to ACT to get HB 3000 out of the House Rules Committee and onto the floor of the Oregon House so that the legislative process can continue. It is very easy and only takes five minutes of your time each day--everyone's help is needed!

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP!

1. CONTACT HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN REPRESENTATIVE ARNIE ROBLAN AT 503-986-1409 and ask him to give HB 3000 priority for a hearing!

Not sure of what to say? Just say this:

"Hi, my name is _________________. I live in ______________, Oregon. I am calling to ask that you allow a hearing and vote on HB 3000, the autism insurance reform bill. Thank you so much."

2. CONTACT SPEAKER DAVE HUNT AT 503-986-1200 and ask him to ask Chairman Roblan to hold a hearing for HB 3000.
Speaker Hunt pulled HB 3000 out of the House Health Committee and placed it in the Rules Committee on our behalf--he gave this bill a fighting chance when we needed it, but we might need his help again to keep it on the move!

Not sure of what to say? Just say this:

"Hi, my name is ______________. I live in __________, Oregon. I want to thank you for giving the autism insurance reform bill, HB 3000, a second chance to become a law this session. I am calling to ask you to please speak to Chairman Roblan of the Rules Committee and urge him to move HB 3000 to a hearing so that it can make its way to the House Floor for a vote. Thank you so much!"

3. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN.

Ask them to do the same thing and call Chairman Roblan and Speaker Hunt. They don't have to have a child with autism. They only need to be willing to help, able to dial a phone and say something along the lines of what we have posted above! Send the message to your child's teachers and therapists, your neighbors and coworkers, your family members and friends.

Your goal is to get this request into the hands of at least 20 people you know who will make the calls to support your family, your child and other Oregon children with autism!

For more information on HB 3000, visit www.autismvotes.org/Oregon.

----------

Happy Dialing! Thank you for your support of Oregon's children with autism!

SIDEBAR: States with insurance coverage or bills in progress

States with insurance coverage for autism treatment, including ABA

2001: Indiana, Minnesota
2007: South Carolina
2008: Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Arizona
2009: New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Connecticut.


View States with insurance coverage of ABA in a larger map

Key:
Status of insurance coverage of behavior analysis for children with autism.
Green = passed bill/law
Red = bill in progress or previously introduced
Purple = bill waiting for endorsement by autism votes or introduction
Yellow = bill in progress
Blue = little activity at this time.

For more information, see Autismvotes

NEWSFLASH: Connecticut passes autism reform bill

CT Substitute Bill No. 301 passed in the House by roll call vote, has been approved by both legislative houses and now goes to enrollment and the CT governor for signature.

Vote for SB-301 Roll Call Number 307
Taken on 05/27/09 AS AMENDED
The Speaker ordered the vote be taken by roll call at 10:12 p.m.
Yes 140, Nay 2. Number required for passage: 72

Substitute Bill No. 301
January Session, 2009 *_____SB00301APP___041609____*

AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

12 (3) "Behavioral therapy" means interactive therapies derived from
13 evidence-based research that are provided to children less than
14 thirteen years of age, including, but not limited to, applied behavior
15 analysis that is provided or supervised by a behavior analyst who is
16 certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

FULL TEXT OF THE SUBSTITUTE BILL
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/TOB/s/pdf/2009SB-00301-R03-SB.pdf

Status and all info,
http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=301&which_year=2009&SUBMIT1.x=0&SUBMIT1.y=0&SUBMIT1=Normal

NEWSFLASH: Nevada Passes Autism Insurance Reform Bill

5/29/09: AB 162 Signed into law.
Autism Coalition of Nevada
Legislative Actions
Governor Gibbons Signs AB 162!
-----------------------

Nevada just passed an autism insurance reform bill, AB 162. Besides allowing families to access reimbursible treatment of autism, the amended bill (amendment 699) also specified competencies and licensing of those providing behavioral treatment. The bill has been sent to the Nevada Governor to await his signature.

Bill text and status is accessible after the newsblurb.

"Nevada passes autism bill
By CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press Writer
Posted: 05/23/2009 03:13:14 PM PDT
Updated: 05/23/2009 04:38:11 PM PDT

CARSON CITY, Nev.—Nevada lawmakers gave final approval Saturday to help children with autism by requiring health insurers to cover screening and treatment of the disorder..."

FULL POST San Jose [CA] Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12437455

The text of the bill passed,

AB162	Requires certain policies of health insurance and health care plans to provide coverage for screening for and treatment of autism. (BDR 57-44)
	Introduced On: Feb 12, 2009
	By: Ohrenschall Buckley Leslie Woodbury Conklin Aizley Anderson Arberry Atkinson Bobzien Carpenter Christensen Claborn Denis Dondero Loop Goicoechea Grady Hambrick Hardy Hogan Horne Kihuen Kirkpatrick Koivisto Manendo Mastroluca McClain Mortenson Munford Oceguera Parnell Pierce Segerblom Smith Stewart Horsford Schneider Lee Wiener Townsend Amodei Breeden Care Carlton Coffin Copening Nolan Parks Rhoads Woodhouse
	Most Recent History Action: May 23, 2009 - Enrolled and delivered to Governor.

ACTION ALERT: HB 3000 may be going to hearing! Calls needed NOW!

An ACTION ALERT from Autism Votes to CALL
the members of the Oregon House Rules Committee.

"...it is possible that HB 3000 [insurance reform bill] will be heard in the Oregon House Rules Committee THIS WEEK. We need to refresh our Representatives' minds about autism insurance reform and ask them to vote YES on HB 3000..."

See full message below for phone numbers and followup.
------------

5/19/09 Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen.

Dear Oregon Autism Advocate,

It has been a while since we sent out a reminder but we just heard that it is possible that HB 3000 will be heard in the Rules Committee this week. We need to refresh our Representatives minds about autism insurance reform and ask them to vote YES on HB 3000.

We must pass the Rules Committee and then HB 3000 is on it's way to the House floor for a vote and one step closer to becoming a law! If the bill does not get out of the Rules Committee, we will not be able to get appropriate coverage for our children until the next session in 2011.

We need your help to make some noise and let the committee know how very much you want this bill to pass on through the legislative process! They are hearing from the insurance companies...they need to hear from you!

Here is How You Can Help:

1. CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF THE RULES COMMITTEE AND ASK THEM TO VOTE YES FOR HB 3000! We need you to contact the following people each day until we tell you to stop and ask them to vote YES on HB 3000. If you are a constituent, be sure to let them know.

> CALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE! Calls are way more important than emails. They need to hear your voices and we need their phones ringing off the hook!

Representative Arnie Roblan, Chair - 503-986-1409
Representative Vicki Berger - 503-986-1420
Representative Chris Edwards - 503-986-1414
Representative Bill Garrard - 503-986-1456
Representative Sara Gelser - 503-986-1416
Representative Bob Jenson - 503-986-1458
Representative Mary Nolan - 503-986-1436
Representative Tobias Read - 503-986-1427

Not sure what to say? It's easy! Just say:

"Hi! My name is _________________________. I am calling to ask Representative _____________ to vote YES on HB 3000 and to allow HB 3000 to go to the House Floor for a vote. Thank you so much!"

> CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW UP WITH AN EMAIL TO ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS! You don't need to know their email addresses, our system will send the email for you. It's easy!

2. MULTIPLY YOUR EFFORTS BY RECRUITING 20 PEOPLE YOU KNOW TO CALL TOO -- JUST FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO THEM! We need to multiply our grassroots efforts exponentially over the course of the next few days and generate thousands of calls. Please forward this to anyone who can help make calls to the committee to ask them to vote YES for HB 3000. They do not have to have a child with autism to be supportive! Think outside the box to neighbors, family members, friends, coworkers - anyone you know who lives in Oregon who would make these calls for your child.


For more information on HB 3000 visit www.autismvotes.org/Oregon!

Keep dialing Oregon. Let's get this done for our kids this year!

Shelley Hendrix
Director of State Advocacy Relations
Autism Speaks

NEWSFLASH: Actuarial Cost Estimate for HB 3000

Don't forget that HB 3000 is in the House Rules Committee--
we need to keep contacting them!
Also see the "FAQs when talking to elected officials".
Thanks for your efforts in supporting HB 3000.
------------------
May 18, 2009
Actuarial Cost Estimate: Oregon House Bill 3000
[if you have difficulty downloading or viewing the cost estimate: try this link]
A Bill for an Act Relating to Autism Spectrum
Disorder- Creating New Provisions and
Amending ORS 414.710 and 743A.190

OLIVER WYMAN
Prepared By:
Marc Lambright, FSA, MAAA
25 Pages.

See also, Oregon's page at Autism Votes
http://www.autismvotes.org/Oregon

OWACORReportHB3000May182009

Publish at Scribd or explore others: School Work Magazines & Newspape How-to-Guides & Manu children treatment

ACTION ALERT : US House version of "Autism Treatment Acceleration Act" introduced

[Received this message from Autism Votes Fri, May 15.
FYI, this is House Resolution 2143 (H.R. 2413)]

H.R.2413
Title: To provide for enhanced treatment, support, services, and research for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
Sponsor: Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] (introduced 5/14/2009) Cosponsors (3)
Latest Major Action: 5/14/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor, Oversight and Government Reform, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

and is the companion bill to the Senate version,

S.819
Title: A bill to provide for enhanced treatment, support, services, and research for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 4/2/2009) Cosponsors (7)
Latest Major Action: 4/2/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Dear Autism Advocate, Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, today applauded Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Hank Johnson (D-GA) for their introduction of a House companion bill [HR 2143] to the Senate's Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA) [S.819], which was introduced last month by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Robert Casey (D-PA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ). Like the Senate version, the House version of the ATAA (H.R. 2413) is comprehensive federal legislation that addresses several critical challenges facing the autism community, including increased funding for scientific research, treatment and services. The ATAA incorporates provisions from the Expanding the Promise of Individuals with Autism Act (EPIAA), originally proposed by Representatives Doyle, Smith, Engel, and former-Representative Chip Pickering. As in the Senate's ATAA bill, a key section of the House bill requires all insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASDs), including coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy – a medically-necessary, evidence-based autism treatment. While the number of states that have enacted comprehensive autism insurance reform legislation has grown to ten, most state insurers are still allowed to specifically exclude coverage for these critical services, which can cost upward of $50,000 a year – well beyond the means of most families. The House version of the bill also addresses the unique needs of adults with ASDs, creating a demonstration project with one-year planning grants and multi-year implementation grants for the provision of service for adults with autism. In addition, it creates the Network for Autism Spectrum Disorders Research and Services aimed at accelerating the dissemination and utilization of critical, new information, moving it from “bench to bedside” as quickly as possible.

Now Help US Get ATAA Passed!: 1. CONTACT YOUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE! Urge him/her to become a cosponsor of the ATAA bill, H.R. 2413. > Call your Representative's office and let him/her know that you support the ATAA bill, H.R. 2413, and you want your Representative to become a cosponsor today. Click here to find the name and phone number for your federal Representative! > Send an email to your Representative! Autism Votes has written part of the email message for you. All you need to do is fill in the empty box with your story about your family's experience with autism and how the ATAA bill will help. Click here to send an email to your Representative! 2. STAY INFORMED ON THE ATAA BILL! Sign up to receive Autism Votes email alerts and stay informed on the progress of the ATAA bill. 3. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY! Get your friends and family involved in getting the ATAA bill passed.

For a complete summary description of both the House and Senate ATAA bills, visit our website at www.AutismVotes.org/ATAA. Sincerely, Elizabeth Emken Vice President, Government Relations Autism Speaks

-----------------

FAQ to use when speaking to elected officials about HB 3000

Please use this FAQ sheet when speaking with your elected officials.

FAQ for Oregon House Bill 3000 (HB 3000):
Autism Insurance Reform

Sponsored by: Representatives Buckley, Greenlick, C. Edwards, Kotek, Tomei,
and Senator Bates

-----------------------------

• How does autism impact the constituents of my district? Autism is a devastating disorder affecting an epidemic proportion of 1 in 89 children in your district. These children have an average life expectancy, generally outliving their parents, potentially their siblings and other family members.

• Is there a cure for autism? AUTISM IS TREATABLE. With appropriate application of recommended treatment, 30 years of research has shown us that children can overcome the severe symptoms of their disorder to lead very productive lives. In contrast, a 2006 Harvard Study indicates that without appropriate intervention a person with autism will have a societal impact of $3.2 Million each over the course of their lifetime.

• Do insurance companies cover autism now? At this time, most private insurance policies specifically exclude most treatments for autism, even when the service is otherwise covered by the health plan. HB 3000 ends this discriminatory practice against children with autism.

• What are the costs? The insurance industry’s own association – the Council for Affordable Health Insurance – estimates that mandated autism benefits costs by LESS than 1% increase premium

• What are the costs to the state? HB 3000 actually reduces big government --removing the need, and future dependence of families on state governmental agencies to care for their children. It reduces future Medicaid services, special education costs, and adult services, housing and care, saving our state millions of dollars.

• Doesn’t our Educational System cover these treatments? Opponents of HB 3000 have intimated that our special education system provides these services. Besides the fact that you are hard pressed to find a school in our state that does provide ABA, it is not the job of the Oregon Public School System to ameliorate or recover the medical condition of children with a neurobiological disorder. Their job is to provide them with an education in the least restrictive environment. We do not expect school systems to handle the medical care of children with AIDS, Cancer or Diabetes and we shouldn't expect school systems to handle the medical care of children with autism either.

• Does this create a significant economic burden to business owners? These societal costs will be there in one way or another. Opponents of HB 3000 may say this bill places unnecessary economic burdens on business owners. Would the business owners in your district prefer a small rate of impact at $1/month per policy in insurance costs or higher taxes in the future?

• Will HB3000 help or hurt Oregon’s economy? HB 3000 will definitely generate new job markets for workers in Oregon and stimulate the economy. The implementation of this legislation will provide new jobs for speech therapists, occupational therapists, applied behavior analysis therapists, physical therapists and more creating living wage jobs for Oregon residents and encouraging people to move to Oregon to participate in this human service delivery. Better wages and more residents equal a larger tax base from which to pull, benefiting everyone. Most of these children require one on one interaction requiring one adult worker full-time, per child covered, by this legislation.

ACTION ALERT: Take Action on HB 3000 to move it from Rules Committee to the House Floor!

An URGENT Take Action request from Autism Votes, some links from this blog site added for more background if desired, but WE MUST STEP UP CALLS AND EMAILS to make HB 3000 stand out from other bills, be voted to go to the House floor and to keep it moving to passage in this Legislative session. As the ACTION ALERT notes, if HB 3000 dies in this session, the next opportunity to submit a bill won't be until 2011--2 years from now, and implementation probably won't be for another year or 2 after that. We have bipartisan support, but HB 3000 MUST make it to House Floor in order for an opportunity for a vote!

Please respond to the action alert and keep contacting the legislators!

THIS IS OUR BEST SHOT.

05/06/09 Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen.

Dear Oregon Autism Advocate,

States all around us are passing autism insurance reform. As you know Oregon HB 3000 has been introduced in the Oregon legislature and if passed will provide Oregon's children with autism insurance coverage for treatments and therapies they need and deserve, including ABA therapy.

Our next hurdle is the House Rules Committee and then HB 3000 is on it's way to the floor of the House for a vote and one step closer to becoming a law!

If the bill does not get out of the Rules Committee, we will not be able to get appropriate coverage for Oregon's children until the next session in 2011.

We need your help to make some noise and let the committee know how very much you want this bill to pass on through the legislative process! They are hearing from the insurance companies...they need to hear from you!

Here is How You Can Help:

1. CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF THE RULES COMMITTEE AND ASK THEM TO VOTE YES FOR HB 3000! We need you to contact the following people each day until we tell you to stop and ask them to vote YES on HB 3000. If you are a constituent, be sure to let them know. > CALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE! Calls are way more important than emails. They need to hear your voices and we need their phones ringing off the hook! Representative Arnie Roblan, Chair - 503-986-1409 Representative Vicki Berger - 503-986-1420 Representative Chris Edwards - 503-986-1414 Representative Bill Garrard - 503-986-1456 Representative Sara Gelser - 503-986-1416 Representative Bob Jenson - 503-986-1458 Representative Mary Nolan - 503-986-1436 Representative Tobias Read - 503-986-1427 Not sure what to say? Follow this script: "Hi! My name is _________________________. I am calling to ask Representative _____________ to vote YES on HB 3000 and to allow HB 3000 to go to the House Floor for a vote. Thank you so much!" > CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW UP WITH AN EMAIL TO ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS! You don't need to know their email addresses, our system will send the email for you. It's easy! 2. MULTIPLY YOUR EFFORTS BY RECRUITING 20 PEOPLE YOU KNOW TO CALL TOO -- JUST FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO THEM! We need to multiply our grassroots efforts exponentially over the course of the next few days and generate thousands of calls. Please forward this to anyone who can help make calls to the committee to ask them to vote YES for HB 3000. They do not have to have a child with autism to be supportive! Think outside the box to neighbors, family members, friends, coworkers - anyone you know who lives in Oregon who would make these calls for your child

Thanks for your time and effort. Please call them and follow up with an email every day. This is very important so that HB 3000 can continue through the legislative process on become a reality. For more information on HB 3000 visit www.autismvotes.org/oregon! Happy dialing! Shelley Hendrix Director of State Advocacy Relations Autism Speaks

NEWSFLASH: Watch Montana's Brandon's Bill being signed into law

VIDEO: Montana's Autism Bill Signed

Montana is now the 10th state in the nation to require insurance companies
to pay for autism care.

http://www.kulr8.com/news/local/44417507.html


"...On Tuesday [Montana Governor] Schweitzer signed Brandon's Bill into law. "It gives every family with a child with autism hope," he said. It's something the governor identifies with personally, having raised a son with autism..."

Newsstory & Comment: "Advocates push for autism services"

[Blog author note--HB 3000 is mentioned towards the end of this newsstory from the April 30, 2009 Statesman Journal.

Advocates push for autism services
Oregon lacks system to identify, treat kids, one lawmaker says
By Tracy Loew • Statesman Journal

April 30, 2009

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090430/LEGISLATURE/904300337/1042/STATE

[Blog author note and comment: The news story from the S-J illustrates as much as anything why HB 3000 must pass so that families of children with autism can access necessary therapy by health insurance coverage of the medical condition of autism-- if parents are "fighting", as stated in the news story, for FIVE hours a week of school-supplied therapy (The recommended amount is at least 25 hours of intensive programming per week year-round).

As a point of reference, there are parents in the state whose children are almost ready for ADULT SERVICES who were advocating for some of the stated changes when their children were preschoolers or early elementary age, and others who worked on the previous Caring for Oregon's Students with Autism Task Force created under SB 765 (1999), Oregon CHAPTER 1046, and studied the same issues and made recommendations in a produced Report almost TEN YEARS AGO .

Concrete action a little quicker than that is not a matter of preference or desiring change to "turn on a dime"--It is an overdue necessity.


The blog author does not want to face a dismal prospect of today's preschoolers with autism ten years into the future still waiting for change and ability to access competently delivered evidenced therapies at the appropriate intensity as recommended by the US Surgeon General in 1999, the National Academies of Science in 2001, and the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2007]

Cover story KATU news, Portland: "House bill to help cover costs of Autism "

Broadcast Wed. May 5, 2009 during the 4PM news broadcast
at KATU, Channel 2, Portland, Oregon

House bill to help cover costs of Autism

"Oregon has one of the highest rates of children with Autism in the US, yet the state has not been able to pass legislation to help parents with the burden of treating their children. A bill stuck in the house [HB 3000 in the House Rules Committee] right now would force insurance companies to help, and dozens of families are counting on that bill to help ease the financial burden."

http://www.katu.com/news/medicalalert/44499612.html

Thank you to Lisa and John McHenry for sharing their story and
thank you to KATU for sharing it with the public!

ADVOCACY: Keep the emails, letters and calls up! HB 3000 is in the House Rules Committee

HB 3000 has officially been moved to Rules thanks to the
Speaker of the Oregon House!

Parents and supporters are asked to write, email and call members of the House Rules Committee and also those in the Senate Healthcare and Veterans Affairs Committee concurrently and to also contact your district representatives to let them know you support HB 3000.

Phone numbers, email addresses and mailing addresses below.

Don't forget to ask family, friends and neighbors to support HB 3000.
on behalf of your family and your child(ren)!

Also see the Oregon page at Autismvotes
http://www.autismvotes.org/oregon

Another hearing is anticipated this month, and let's see if we can get HB 3000
onto the floor of the Oregon House for a vote!

House Rules Committee,
House Rules Committee Agendas
Office: 453, Phone: 503-986-1532
Staffing: Jerry Watson, Mike Reiley

Membership

Rep. Arnie Roblan, Chair, (D-9-Coos Bay) 503-986-1409,
rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us
900 Court St NE, H-272, Salem,, OR, 97301

Rep. Vicki Berger, Vice-Ch. (R-20-Salem) 503-986-1420,
rep.vickiberger@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE., H-479, Salem, OR, 97301

Rep. Chris Edwards, Vice-Ch. (D-14-Eugene) 503-986-1414,
rep.chrisedwards@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE, H-283, Salem, OR, 97301

Rep. Bill Garrard (R-56-Klamath Falls) 503-986-1456,
rep.billgarrard@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE., H-480, Salem, OR, 97301

Rep. Sara Gelser (D-16-Corvallis & Philomath) 503-986-1416,
rep.saragelser@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE H-285, Salem, OR, 97301

Rep. Bob Jenson (R-58-Pendleton) 503-986-1458,
rep.bobjenson@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE., H-481, Salem, OR, 97301

Rep. Mary Nolan (D-36-Portland) 503-986-1436,
rep.marynolan@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE., H-295, Salem, OR, 97301

Rep. Tobias Read (D-27-Beaverton) 503-986-1427,
rep.tobiasread@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE, H-490, Salem, OR, 97301

Senate Health Care and Veterans' Affairs
Senate Health Care and Veterans' Affairs Committee Agendas
Office: 453 Phone: 503-986-1530
Staffing: Robert Shook, Cassandra Strauch

Membership:

Laurie Monnes Anderson, Chair (D-25-Gresham) 503-986-1725,
sen.lauriemonnesanderson@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE., S-413, Salem, OR, 97301

Jeff Kruse, Vice-Chair (R-1-Roseburg) 503-986-1701
sen.jeffkruse@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE., S-316, Salem, OR, 97301

Alan C Bates (D-3-Ashland) 503-986-1703
sen.alanbates@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE., S-205, Salem, OR, 97301

Bill Morrisette (D-6-Springfield) 503-986-1706
sen.billmorrisette@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE., S-207, Salem, OR, 97301

Frank Morse (R-8-Albany) 503-986-1708
sen.frankmorse@state.or.us
900 Court St. NE., S-311, Salem, OR, 97301

"Write your" local State Representatives
Automated form at the State Legislature website

NEWSFLASH: Wed. 5/6, 4:00PM-- HB 3000 on Portland Channel 2/KATU

We've been given the heads-up that KATU, Portland Channel 2, will be covering HB 3000 and autism on their news broadcast at today, Wednesday, May 6 at 4:00PM.

KATU News also has a live online streaming option.

(It's not known yet whether this will be rebroadcast in the later newscasts at 5:00 PM, 6:00PM or 11:00PM, but we'll post that info if it becomes available.)

We'll include a link to what gets posted at the KATU website as it becomes available.

Don't forget to tune in!

NEWSFLASH: Colorado passes Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment!

Colorado becomes the 11th State to pass an autism treatment mandate
including Applied Behavior Analysis! Bill goes to the Governor for signature.

See the press release below

---------------------------------

<Autism Society.doc>>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Betty Lehman
Autism Society of Colorado
Cell: 303.898.7656
Betty@autismcolorado.org
www.autismcolorado.org

Colorado Legislature Passes Insurance Coverage for Treatment of Autism
Denver, Colorado, 5/5/09 – A landmark, bi-partisan bill expanding the treatment of autism was given final approval by the Senate and is on its way to the Governor. Senate Bill 244, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and State Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield) will require health insurance providers to cover assessment, diagnosis and treatment of autism, including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a substantially researched and favored behavioral treatment for autism spectrum disorders. This bill will require health insurance plans to include autism as a covered benefit.

Autism is extremely expensive to treat; the estimated lifetime cost of caring for a person with autism ranges from $3.5 to $5 million. However, if the appropriate early intervention treatments are applied, up to two-thirds of the cost for treatment can be avoided.

“The passage of this bill is a triumph for the most vulnerable among us; those who we, as a society, have a responsibility to protect,” said Sen. Shaffer. “Autism is treatable, but these families should not face this alone. This bill will finally make healthcare manageable for those with autism disorders and their families.”

After the bill passed the Senate, Betty Lehman, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Colorado and a key architect of the bill, thanked individuals with autism in Colorado , their families and their providers, indicating their continued support ensured the bill’s passage. The Autism Society asked those affected by autism in Colorado to contact their legislators to encourage a yes vote on the bill, to great effect. Lehman also thanked the lawmakers that recognized the impact of the bill on Colorado families affected by autism.

“This bill will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people with autism and their families. It will also alleviate some of the financial burden on the public education, public health care programs, and social services systems in our state,” said Lehman.

Michael Zeitlin, Board President of the Autism Society of Colorado acknowledged the landmark bill would not have been possible without the hard work of the bill sponsors and Betty Lehman.

“Except for Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer and State Representative Dianne Primavera, Betty Lehman was the single most important person involved in shepherding this bill through the entire legislative process, winning approval in both houses of the legislature and vetting about 50 amendments negotiated by various interest groups,” said Zeitlin.

The bill now awaits action by the Governor. If SB 244 is signed, Colorado will become only the 11^th state requiring insurance providers to cover treatments for autism. The Autism Society of Colorado is excited to have worked diligently for legislation that improves the quality of life for people with autism and their families.

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Bridget Cessar
Communications Director
Autism Society of Colorado
Office: 720.214.0794, ext. 10
Fax: 720.274.2744
www.AutismColorado.org

Letter to the editor: "Cover Autism Therapy"(

Letter to the Editor in The Oregonian from a Portland mother.
(Good job Danni McLaughlin!)

Note: KEEP these letters and include them with YOUR letters to legislators to show that this is a matter of public interest and that the issue is in the public venue.
As one minor correction, at this time TEN ELEVEN states have passed mandates covering behavioral therapy for minors with autism: IN, SC, TX, AZ, LA, FL, IL, PA, NM and most recently--MT and CO. (Blog author note: Colorado passed their mandate May 5!)

NV looks as if it is poised to pass their mandate bill. These states recognize that their children--their citizens--need this support and access to behavioral treatment.
Oregon should do no less.

Oregonian - Letters to the editor: Autism Funding May 2, 2009

Cover autism therapy

How nice for State Rep. Mitch Greenlick that he only has to ponder whether or not behavior therapy would help all children with autism, all the time, with all its symptoms ("A struggle to defeat autism and its costs," April 29).

Is there a single medical protocol with a 100 percent success rate for all afflicted?

I have a child with autism, so I can tell you that behavioral therapy works wonders. It is a remarkable tool that changes kids' and families' lives. It isn't invasive, it requires no expensive equipment and the skills can be taught and used at home and in school.

Can you imagine being told that your child's needed speech, occupational, physical and behavioral therapies are not covered by insurance? Note that these same policies cover addicts, the obese and smokers.

Oregon's autism rate is among the highest in the nation. Funding treatment that helps children with autism become productive, able, self-directed citizens is a vital investment. Please ask your legislators to add Oregon to the list of nine other states that have already passed this critical insurance reform.

DANNI McLAUGHLIN
Southwest Portland

Sidebar: "Educating Children with Autism Statewide Conference"

This came in the email today, and while not immediately concerned with HB 3000,[Requires health insurers and state medical assistance program to reimburse for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.] might be of interest to those who are interested in autism treatment and what the state of Oregon is proposing to do in educating our children.
Oregon House Representative Chris Edwards will be sharing legislative updates

Educating Children with Autism
Statewide Conference
Saturday, May 16, 2009

Portland Memorial Coliseum meeting rooms, Rose Quarter

www.ceed.pdx.edu/autismconf
(Breakfast and lunch are included in the conference fee of $45-55)

Please join us for an exciting day focused on the education of children with autism spectrum disorder. Highlights of the conference:

The keynote speaker, Dr. Laura Schreibman, professor at University of California at San Diego , will be speaking on “The Science and Fiction of Autism”.

Dr. Schreibman will also do a session on the latest research for Pivotal Response Training (PRT). Additionally there will be 20 breakout sessions on a variety of topics presented by specialists throughout Oregon .

Representative Chris Edwards will provide an update on the latest legislative agenda in the area of autism.

The conference will focus on current instructional strategies used in Pre-k through 12^th grade classrooms and will also provide practical field-tested suggestions. There will also be a strand on school, family and community partnerships.

The workshops are designed to be a resource for people who are new to the field of autism training as well as those with advanced knowledge and experience.

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Conference and registration information are available at:

www.ceed.pdx.edu/autismconf

(Breakfast and lunch are included in the conference fee of $45-55)

Venue: Portland Memorial Coliseum meeting rooms, Rose Quarter

Maps, directions and parking information available on the conference website

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Sponsored in part by:

Portland Trailblazers,, Oregon Department of Education Northwest Autism Foundation,

Easter Seals of Oregon, Portland State University