SIDEBAR: Monday, Sept. 28 Meeting of the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder

Meeting Announcement

Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder
[N.B.-list of members and additional background info below *]

Meeting Time:

Monday, September 28, 2009

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Public Comment is welcome but may be limited due to time constraints.

Meeting Place:

Oregon State Capitol

Hearing Room C

900 Court Street NE

Salem, Oregon 97301

[Note: this is the link for video and audio from the Capitol Hearing Rooms]
http://www.leg.state.or.us/listn/

Directions to the Capitol
http://www.leg.state.or.us/capinfo/

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

*The members of the Commission, established by
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 09 – 07
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/eo0907.pdf
are:

Marilyn Gense, Chair
Special Education Coordinator, Willamette Education Service District
Position: At-Large

Jean Rystrom, Vice Chair
Regional Practice Director of Pediatrics, Kaiser Permanente
Position: Insurance

Joyce Bernheim
Health Care Attorney
Position: Parent of a child

Gleason Eakin
Retired Educator, Administrator, and Founder of the Northwest Autism Foundation
Position: Advocacy Organization

Chris Edwards
Legislator
Position: State Representative

Kirby Erickson
Autism Specialist, Southern Oregon Education Service District
Position: Parent of an adult

Robert Nickel, M.D.
Developmental Pediatrician, Child Development and Rehabilitation Center, OHSU
Position: Medical Community

Michelle (Mickey) Pardew
Professor, Special Education Division at Western Oregon University
Position: Higher Education

Dora Raymaker
Writer, Researcher, Trainer
Position: Consumer

Eric Richards
Director of Operations for the Office of Student Learning and Partnerships, Oregon Department of Education
Position: Oregon Department of Education

Clyde Saiki
Deputy Director, Oregon Department of Human Services
Position: Oregon Department of Human Services

Kristi Sandvik
Executive Director of Special Education Programs, Hillsboro School District
Position: Local Education

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Background information:
Previous work by the Oregon Autism Project
http://ocdd.org/index.php/ocdd/getinvolved/135/

ACTION: "FAX FRIDAY" to Speaker Pelosi, and THANK Representative Doyle for Supporting Autism Insurance Reform in Healthcare Reform!

Autism Speaks - Rep. Mike Doyle's [PA] Opening Remarks (July 16, 2009) 2:19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt3vxn_n1g8

Washington, DC (July 16, 2009) -- In his opening remarks during the House Energy and Commerce Committee markup of HR 3200, the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-14), chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus, pledged that any bill that does not put an end to autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable.

TAKE ACTION TODAY:

• FAX IN FRIDAY! Fax a message to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi!
  (you don't need a FAX machine to send this message! Autism Votes will do it for you if you send through the link!)
  
  
• SEND REP. DOYLE A THANK YOU NOTE!

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

Help Keep the Message on the Airwaves!

THURSDAY'S ACTION ALERT: Keep your calls coming to Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid

"...Autism Speaks is constantly adapting a strategy to give us the best chance of making this [autism insurance reform in health care reform] happen. The strategy may change every hour or it may appear redundant but there is a "method to the madness". The important thing is that as the troops, we stay alert and be ready to act when we get our mission plans..."

This is crunch time and if ever there was a time for concerted
grassroots action and advocacy - this is it.

A message passed along by one of the state Advocacy Chairs of Autism Speaks...

"Thursday, July 16 2009

Autism is relentless. In order to effect a change at the national level, we must be relentless too.

The government relations team at Autism Speaks is monitoring the health care reform issue in D.C. very closely. A health care reform bill is going to pass - likely in the next several weeks. The issues we face as families affected by autism must be addressed in this bill.

Autism Speaks is constantly adapting a strategy to give us the best chance of making this happen. The strategy may change every hour or it may appear redundant but there is a "method to the madness". The important thing is that as the troops, we stay alert and be ready to act when we get our mission plans.

Today's mission

Make two phone calls.
Call Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at the phone numbers below:

Speaker Pelosi (202) 225-0100
Majority Leader Reid (202) 224-3542

Just say this:
"Hi, My name is ____________ ___. I am calling from (Your city, your state). I want you to know that health care reform that does not stop autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable. Thank you."

Be patient. Be polite. Keep dialing until you get through to them. Then do it again. If the voice mail box is full, call back and request that the receptionist take a message. Please send this message on to 15 other people.

Thanks and stay tuned!

Michael Wasmer, DVM
Founder, The Kansas Coalition for Autism Legislation (KCAL)
Autism Speaks Kansas Chapter Advocacy Chair
www.autismvotes.org

URGENT ACTION ALERT: Call Speaker Pelosi and demand autism insurance reform be part of health care reform

URGENT ACTION REQUEST -
CALL U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER PELOSI'S OFFICE to let her know that health care reform MUST include autism insurance reform!
and
PASS THIS MESSAGE FORWARD.
THANK YOU!

From Autismvotes
------------ --------- --------- -------

"The health reform ship has sailed and autism insurance reform is
currently NOT ON IT.

U.S. H.R. 3200 is currently IN MARK UP and our hope of achieving autism insurance reform for children with autism as part of the larger health reform initiative WILL REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT to the Resolution.

NOW MORE THAN EVER IS THE TIME TO,

CALL U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Office at
202-225-0100
and tell her office that health insurance reform that does not stop autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable.

You must get 20 people in your life MINIMUM to start calling NOW, and you must keep the PRESSURE UP and keep the PRESSURE ON if you want to see this for your children.

All you have to say is this simple message:

"Hi. My name is ________. I believe that health insurance that does not stop autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable and I am counting on Speaker Pelosi to be sure that children with autism have appropriate coverage for the treatments and therapies they deserve access to for their medical condition. Thank you."
------------ --------- -------

ACTION ALERT: AD and Phone-in Campaign to End Autism Insurance Discrimination as Part of Health Care Reform! Calling on YOUR HELP.

Today, Autism Speaks has launched its first national television advocacy campaign, "Neighbors", aimed at reaching millions of informed and politically active Americans and asking them to call Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and tell them that ending autism insurance discrimination must be part of Health Care Reform Legislation.

Autismvotes is alerting that phone calls from ALL autism families AND those of friends and extended family are crucial for our issue to be taken seriously and included in Health Care Reform. This is an opportunity that has huge significance for our children. The phone-in campaign kicks off TODAY and will be ongoing until autism insurance reform is included in health reform.

“Neighbors" depicts the consequences of insurance company discrimination against individuals with autism and calls on the American public to urge Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to end autism insurance discrimination in the upcoming health care reform legislation.

1. CALL HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI (D-CA) & SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID (D-NV) AT THE PHONE NUMBERS BELOW!

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: (202) 225-0100

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: (202) 224-3542


If you aren't sure of what to say, just say this:

"Hi, My name is _______________. I am calling from (Your city, your state). I want you to know that health care reform that does not stop autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable. People with autism deserve coverage for the treatments and therapies that will help their medical condition. Thank you."

Be patient. Be polite. Keep dialing until you get through to them. Then do it again.

2. CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE TO SENATE MAJORITY LEADER REID AND HOUSE SPEAKER PELOSI, URGE THEM TO WATCH THE AUTISM SPEAKS AD, "NEIGHBORS", AND TO END AUTISM INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION!

IMPORTANT: Make sure to add some personal information on why this is such an important issue for you and your family. Be sure to let them know that all children with autism from coast to coast deserve appropriate insurance coverage.

3. IMPORTANT: FORWARD THIS ACTION ALERT ACROSS THE COUNTRY!

Put this action alert on your Facebook page, Twitter it, forward to Yahoo groups and local support groups. Forward this email to at least 20 people that do NOT have a child with autism - neighbors, extended family, coworkers, old college and high school friends - and ask them to make these two calls every day for your child

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

The health care reform debate in this country is reaching a fever pitch. Autism insurance reform can and MUST be included in the final health care reform bill that President Obama has stated he will sign by the end of October. THIS IS THE TIME to end autism insurance discrimination once and for all. Our children have a medical condition which deserves appropriate treatment, therapy and care. Congress needs to know that health care “reform” that fails to stop autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable.

To stay updated on this initiative and more, register at


www.autismvotes.org!

"Neighbors" Ad Calls on U.S. Congress to End Autism Insurance Discrimination

Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, has launched a new national television advertising campaign highlighting private insurers blatant discrimination against children with autism and calling on the U.S. Congress to put an end to it as part of the broader health care reform effort. The thirty-second ad, Neighbors, will air nationally on CNN, CNBC, and MSNBC.
'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rVX_nSLFtg

ACTION ALERT: Autism Speaks Launches an Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA) Ad This Week and YOUR HELP NEEDED To Connect With Congress

This week, Autism Speaks is launching a major ad campaign supporting federal autism insurance reform with the goal to be the LOUDEST VOICE ON CAPITOL HILL and move these bills forward.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VITAL.

All of our voices are needed to make sure this ad
hits home for Oregon's Congressional Delegation!
In a state with one of the highest prevalence rates in the nation, it is imperative that they sign on and help our kids.

Click here to download a flyer with the information in this blogpost

Click on the picture for the full size ad

This ad campaign is being placed in various publications to raise awareness about the need for CONGRESS TO ACT on Federal autism insurance reform and for members of Congress TO BECOME CO-SPONSORS of the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act (ATAA), S. 819 in the U.S. Senate, and H.R. 2413 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

One key provision of the ATAA requires insurance companies from COAST TO COAST to provide coverage of medically necessary autism treatments, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.

Let's make sure that OUR Senators and Representatives SEE THIS AD OVER AND OVER AGAIN and HEAR FROM FAMILIES and friends of families affected by autism--EACH DAY THIS WEEK!

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HOW YOU CAN HELP
in 4 steps
Download-Fax-Follow up -Forward

1. Download and print out a copy of the Autism Speaks ATAA ad HERE!

2. FAX a personalized copy of the ad to our Federal Senators and House District Representatives!

After printing out a copy of the ad, find a good spot on the ad itself, or on a separate sheet of paper, to write a short personal message asking your Senators and House Representative to cosponsor thes bills, S.819 in the Senate and H.R. 2413 in the House.

BE SURE to include the bill number in your message.

Neither of our federal Senators, Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Jeff Merkley, nor any other member of the Oregon Delegation to Congress has yet agreed to co-sponsor ATAA - S. 819/H.R. 2413, even though Representatives DeFazio, Wu and Blumenauer are members of the Congressional Autism Caucus.

To find the Fax and Phone information for Congressional Representatives

Senator Ron Wyden
Fax: 202-228-2717; Phone: 202-224-5244




Senator Jeff Merkley
Fax: 202-228-3997 Phone: 202-224-3753




Representative David Wu [District 1-Clatsop, Columbia, Washington, Yamhill and part of Multnomah.]
Fax: 202-225-9497 Phone: 202-225-0855



Representative Greg Walden [District 2-Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Grants Pass area of Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler.]
Fax: 202-225-5774 Phone: 202-225-6730


Representative Earl Blumenauer [District 3-Most of Multnomah and northern part of Clackamas]
Fax: 202-225-8941 Phone: 202-225-4811



Representative Peter DeFazio [District 4-Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane, Linn, most of Benton and Josephine.]
Fax: 202-225-0032 Phone: 202-225-6416



Representative Kurt Schrader [District 5-All of Lincoln, Marion, Polk and Tillamook, parts of northern Benton, most of Clackamas and parts of southwestern Multnomah]
Fax: 202-225-5699 Phone: 202-225-5711


3. Follow up with a phone call saying,

"Hi. My name is ________________. I am your constituent and live in (City, STATE). I am calling to be sure that you received a copy of the advertisement that I faxed to your office regarding the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act. I would like Senator/Congressman (Name) to cosponsor this important piece of legislation. The bill number is S. 819 (if you are calling a Senator) or H.R. 2413 (if you are calling a House Representative). Thank you so much. I will keep checking back to see if he/she has signed on because this is very important to me."

4. Forward this to as many people as you can, and ask them to do the same thing!
THEY DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A CHILD WITH AUTISM. Post on message boards in your state or forward to coworkers, neighbors, friends and family and ask them to help you help your child by pressing for appropriate insurance coverage for the premiums you pay!

Spread the word, get people involved and
watch our Representatives really start to sign up to help!

Click here to download a flyer with the information in this blogpost

-----------

• For more information on the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act at Autism Votes
• To register for further alerts about the ATAA and other pertinent issues in our state
• Past blog posts on the Autism Treatment Acceleration Acts S. 819 & H.R. 2413

SIDEBAR: Video- "Legislative Advocacy for Individuals with [Developmental] Disabilities"

An interesting and informative video from UC MIND, which has some specificity to California in reference to particular advocacy groups and structural differences in that state. That said, the issues discussed are not particular to any one state and there are some good ideas on what makes for successful grassroots advocacy. The message on advocacy "how-tos" picks up after 40 minutes.

Legislative Advocacy for Individuals with [Developmental] Disabilities
UC MIND Institute June 2008, 1:16:25

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!

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.

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!

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

A Busy Work Session and a Crucial Deadline

HB 3000, the Autism Insurance Reform Bill,
is scheduled for a work session today, April 27, 2009,
at 3PM, Hearing Room D, State Capitol.
TODAY
See the note below about legislative calendars!

• The Agenda for the 4/27/09 meeting of the House Health Care Committee
  [It looks like there are 5 bills scheduled for public hearing, and 15 bills carried over from the 4/24 meeting for work session.]
  

• To view the live streaming video of the meeting (not archived)
  Windows Media Player
  

• To listen to the live streaming audio
  Live Audio Today
  

• To listen to the Audio Archive of the meeting

An important note about legislative calendars

According to the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians 2009 Legislative Report,

"April 28 deadline for moving bills out of first committee
Friday, April 17 was the deadline for scheduling work sessions for bills in the chamber of origin. The next deadline is April 28. By then, committees must take action on those bills. [Blog author note: HB 3000 was scheduled for the work schedule--but action must be taken on it by the House Health Care Committee by Tuesday, April 28, 2009 for it to remain an "active" bill without special measures to revive it.]
These internal deadlines help winnow the field of bills under consideration. Hundreds of bills will drop off the radar screen for lack of action, either on the 17th or by the 28th.
But it’s important to remember that no bill is really dead until the session gavels to an end. While it is unlikely that dead bills will be revived, it’s not impossible.
Policy committees will spend May considering bills that have passed the other chamber."

[This has some relevance to why this particular Committee Meeting has so many bills to address. There was a comment by Representative/Chairman Greenlick in the 4/24/09 meeting that HB 3000 is intended to be sent to the Rules Committee. If done so today, this would mean that action was taken in the first committee, and HB 3000 will still be active and in play!]

Reminder: April 29 is Autism Advocacy Day at the Capitol!

Information on Autism Advocacy Day, April 29, 2009, Room 350, State Capitol, Salem, Oregon

With HB 3000 the Autism Insurance Reform Bill, the formation of the Governor's Commission on Autism, and other policy developments-this may be the most important Advocacy Day ever!
See below flyer for RSVP information and schedule of events

Visitor Services Phone: 503-986-1388
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Resources at the Capitol
Join Us April 29 for Autism Day at the Capitol!

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Brochures & Catalogs oregon legislature autism advocacy

HB 3000 Carried Over to Monday 4/27 Health Care Committee Mtg.

Due to the number of bills considered in the 4/24/09 meeting, the work session on HB 3000 by the

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

House Health Care Committee has been carried over to
Monday, April 27, 2009
Time: 3:00 P.M.
Hearing Room D
Oregon State Capitol, Salem, Oregon

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

It was stated in the audio transcript that there is a possible intention to send HB 3000 to the House Rules Committee, but no action has yet been taken to do so. (This statement was made in the last 6 minutes of the audio.)

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

As an initial heads-up/FYI, IF HB 3000 is sent to the Rules Committee, those members are,

Rep. Arnie Roblan, Chair, (D-9-Coos Bay) 503-986-1409, rep.arnieroblan@state.or.us
Rep. Vicki Berger, Vice-Ch. (R-20-Salem) 503-986-1420, rep.vickiberger@state.or.us
Rep. Chris Edwards, Vice-Ch. (D-14-Eugene) 503-986-1414, rep.chrisedwards@state.or.us
Rep. Bill Garrard (R-56-Klamath Falls) 503-986-1456, rep.billgarrard@state.or.us
Rep. Sara Gelser (D-16-Corvallis & Philomath) 503-986-1416, rep.saragelser@state.or.us
Rep. Bob Jenson (R-58-Pendleton) 503-986-1458, rep.bobjenson@state.or.us
Rep. Mary Nolan (D-36-Portland) 503-986-1436, rep.marynolan@state.or.us
Rep. Tobias Read (D-27-Beaverton) 503-986-1427, rep.tobiasread@state.or.us

Staffing: Jerry Watson, Mike Reiley
Office: 453, Phone: 503-986-1532
Link to the Committee's Agenda page

ACT TODAY to get the Health Care Committee to approve HB 3000!

ACT TODAY
to persuade the House Health Care Committee to vote YES on HB 3000
PLEASE GET CALLS, EMAILS & TESTIMONY IN TODAY, or TOMORROW AT THE LATEST: THE COMMITTEE MEETS FRIDAY 4/24

The following Oregon representatives on the House Health Care Committee have NOT yet indicated their support of HB 3000: Requires health insurers and state medical assistance program to reimburse for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

HB 3000 MUST BE APROVED BY THIS COMMITTEE to make it to the NEXT STEP of being heard on the floor of the Oregon House.

• Please be sure to CALL them, and ask them to vote YES for the bill when it is heard in the work session on Friday, April 24, 3PM, Hearing Room D, State Capitol!
• Follow up phone calls with an email to the members of the committee who have not yet committed to support HB 3000. Use the Subject Line: I support HB 3000
  

Not yet committed to support HB 3000

• Rep. Ron Maurer (R-3-Josephine Co.)-(503) 986-1403
  rep.ronmaurer@state.or.us
• Rep. Scott Bruun (R-37-West Linn) - (503) 986-1437
  rep.scottbruun@state.or.us
• Rep. Jim Thompson (R-23-Dallas+) - (503) 986-1423
  rep.jimthompson@state.or.us
• Rep. Chris Harker (D-34-Washington Co.) - (503) 986-1434
  rep.chrisharker@state.or.us
• Rep. Michael Dembrow (D-45-Portland) - (503) 986-1445
• rep.michaeldembrow@state.or.us

The following representatives HAVE indicated their initial SUPPORT of HB 3000.
Please THANK them for their support and ask for their CONTINUED support with a YES vote on Friday at the work session!

• Rep. Ben Cannon (D-46-Portland) - (503) 986-1446
  rep.bencannon@state.or.us
• Rep. Chris Garrett (D-38-Lake Oswego) - (503) 986-1438
  rep.chrisgarrett@state.or.us
• Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-39-Oregon City+) -(503) 986-1439
  rep.billkennemer@state.or.us
• Rep. Tina Kotek (D-44-NE Portland) - (503) 986-1444
  rep.tinakotek@state.or.us

----------------------
For more information, see the post from April 20!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR ACTION

ACTION ALERT!!: Who's voting YES, and...NO on HB 3000

WE ARE DOWN TO THE WIRE
to persuade the House Health Care Committee to vote YES on HB 3000
PLEASE GET CALLS, EMAILS & TESTIMONY IN : THE COMMITTEE MEETS FRIDAY 4/24

The following Oregon representatives on the House Health Care Committee have NOT yet indicated their support of HB 3000: Requires health insurers and state medical assistance program to reimburse for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

HB 3000 MUST BE APROVED BY THIS COMMITTEE to make it to the NEXT STEP of being heard on the floor of the Oregon House.

• Please be sure to CALL them, and ask them to vote YES for the bill when it is heard in the work session on Friday, April 24, 3PM, Hearing Room D, State Capitol!
• Follow up phone calls with an email to the members of the committee who have not yet committed to support HB 3000.

Not yet committed to support HB 3000

• Rep. Ron Maurer (R-3-Josephine Co.)-(503) 986-1403
  rep.ronmaurer@state.or.us
• Rep. Scott Bruun (R-37-West Linn) - (503) 986-1437
  rep.scottbruun@state.or.us
• Rep. Jim Thompson (R-23-Dallas+) - (503) 986-1423
  rep.jimthompson@state.or.us
• Rep. Chris Harker (D-34-Washington Co.) - (503) 986-1434
  rep.chrisharker@state.or.us
• Rep. Michael Dembrow (D-45-Portland) - (503) 986-1445
• rep.michaeldembrow@state.or.us

The following representatives HAVE indicated their initial SUPPORT of HB 3000.
Please THANK them for their support and ask for their CONTINUED support with a YES vote on Friday at the work session!

• Rep. Ben Cannon (D-46-Portland) - (503) 986-1446
  rep.bencannon@state.or.us
• Rep. Chris Garrett (D-38-Lake Oswego) - (503) 986-1438
  rep.chrisgarrett@state.or.us
• Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-39-Oregon City+) -(503) 986-1439
  rep.billkennemer@state.or.us
• Rep. Tina Kotek (D-44-NE Portland) - (503) 986-1444
  rep.tinakotek@state.or.us

----------------------
Action Alert issued from Autism Speaks

A message from Autism Speaks,
"Dear Oregon Autism Advocate,

As you know HB 3000 has been introduced in the Oregon legislature that if passed will provide autism insurance reform for Oregon's children with autism to cover the treatments and therapies they need and deserve, including ABA therapy.

Now we have to get it through the Health Care Committee and on it's way to the floor so that it can become law!

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 OREGON HOUSE HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE AND ASK THEM TO VOTE YES FOR HB 3000 EVERY DAY UNTIL THE MEETING ON FRIDAY!
The committee will be having a work group session this Friday, April 24, at 3pm. We need you to contact the following people each day between now and then and ask them to vote YES on HB 3000. If they indicate their support then be sure to thank them and ask for their continued support in the commitee. If you are a constituent, be sure to let them know. Keep your conversations short and polite. Then follow up in an email.
NOTE: Calls are way more important than emails. They need to hear your voices!

The following representatives have NOT yet indicated their support of HB 3000. Please be sure to ask them to vote YES for the bill when it is heard in the work session on Friday!
Please call them and follow up with an email EVERY DAY.
Use the Subject Line: I support HB 3000 .

Rep. Ron Maurer (R-3-Josephine Co.)-(503) 986-1403 rep.ronmaurer@state.or.us
Rep. Scott Bruun (R-37-West Linn) - (503) 986-1437 rep.scottbruun@state.or.us
Rep. Jim Thompson (R-23-Dallas+) - (503) 986-1423 rep.jimthompson@state.or.us
Rep. Chris Harker (D-34-Washington Co.) - (503) 986-1434 rep.chrisharker@state.or.us
Rep. Michael Dembrow (D-45-Portland) - (503) 986-1445 rep.michaeldembrow@state.or.us

The following representatives have indicated their initial support of HB 3000. Please THANK them for their support and ask for their continued support with a YES vote on Friday at the work session!
Use the Subject Line: I support HB 3000 .

Rep. Ben Cannon (D-46-Portland) - (503) 986-1446 rep.bencannon@state.or.us
Rep. Chris Garrett (D-38-Lake Oswego) - (503) 986-1438 rep.chrisgarrett@state.or.us
Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-39-Oregon City+) -(503) 986-1439 rep.billkennemer@state.or.us
Rep. Tina Kotek (D-44-NE Portland) - (503) 986-1444 rep.tinakotek@state.or.us

2. ATTEND THE WORK GROUP ON FRIDAY, APRIL 24 AT 3PM.
Hearing Room D, State Capitol, Salem Oregon.

This will not be a hearing and no one's testimony will be heard but we would like parents to pack the room so that they can realize that Oregon citizens have a vested interest in HB 3000 and are watching them cast their vote. Wear Red. Bring signs in support of HB 3000 and pictures of your children.

3. FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN THE STATE OF OREGON!
We need to multiply our grassroots efforts exponentially over the course of the next few days. We need to generate thousands and 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!

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 our website at www.autismvotes.org/oregon !

Happy dialing!

Shelley Hendrix
Director of State Advocacy Relations
Autism Speaks
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