A Visual Aid on the Impact of Passage of the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act

A visual aid to show what impact the passage of S. 819 and/or H.R 2413
The Autism Treatment Acceleration Acts

in this 111th Congress would have:

A. States with passed legislation or statute that specify autism insurance reform,
current as of July 1, 2009.

15 STATES

Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana,
Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey [pending signature], New Mexico, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin

B. States that would have that coverage if S. 819 and/or H.R. 2413 ,
the Autism Treatment Acceleration Acts pass in the 111th Congress.
(In addition to pilot programs for teen transition and adult services).

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Don't forget to see the recent post on the CURRENT ACTION ITEM to contact our
Oregon Delegation to Congress and urge their support of the ATAA.
Thank you for your participation and action!

We can do it and we can get there.

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

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• 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

NEWSFLASH: Story in the Huffington Post on The federal AutismTreatment Acceleration Acts: S. 819 & H.R. 2413

[Also see previous post on U.S. Resolutions, S. 819 & H.R. 2413. ]

The Autism Treatment Acceleration Act and the Autism Sandbox
Shelley Hendrix Reynolds
Posted: May 31, 2009 06:40 PM
Huffington Post

Please read the full article, but I want to highlight some cogent clauses made by Ms. Reynolds,

"...Despite dutifully paying premiums to insure against the unthinkable that their child could be diagnosed with a disease or disorder, most parents of children with autism cannot get appropriate coverage to treat their child's medical conditions. Not because these parents didn't act responsibly and do their part but because insurance did not do their part...

Why should you care about their plight as an average tax paying citizen without a child with autism? It directly affects your own checking account...

No one would dream of treating a child with a life threatening illness at any less than what the doctor recommends. No one would ever expect that the public education system to be responsible for curing that disease and yet, insurance companies do just that...shirk their accountability to the education system instead of providing children with appropriate coverage when they are toddlers making them more likely to be mainstreamed into a regular education setting. Providing access to these treatments saves tax payer's dollars, creates new job markets and most importantly, gives these children an opportunity to become tax payers themselves one day with independent lives via a fiscally responsible solution to a growing societal issue..."

See the full article at the Huffington Post

and for more information and TO ACT on the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act(s), see Autismvotes.

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

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.
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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

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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

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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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Autism Speaks Endorses Oregon Autism Insurance Reform Bill

From the Autism Votes News Center

Autism Speaks Endorses Oregon Autism Insurance Reform Bill HB 3000

Would End Health Care Discrimination Against Children with Autism by Requiring Coverage of Diagnosis and Treatment

Salem, OR (March 31, 2009) – Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization, today announced its support for House Bill 3000, the autism insurance reform bill. The legislation would require private health insurance companies to cover the screening, diagnosis, testing and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for individuals up to the age of 21. The maximum benefit would be $36,000 per year.

Sponsored in the Oregon State House by State Representative Peter Buckley (D- Ashland -5), HB 3000 includes coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based, medically-necessary autism therapy.

“We applaud and thank Representative Buckley for his leadership on this issue of critical concern to thousands of Oregon families,” said Elizabeth Emken, Autism Speaks Vice President of Government Relations. “Autism Speaks joins Oregon’s autism community in calling on the legislature to pass HB 3000 and join the growing number of states that have ended healthcare discrimination against children with autism.”Most states do not require private insurance companies to cover even essential autism treatments and services. In the absence of coverage, families often pay as much as they can out-of-pocket for services that can cost upwards of $50,000 per year. In the process, many risk their homes and the educations of their unaffected children – essentially mortgaging their entire futures.

Eight states – Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas -- have enacted autism insurance reform legislation. Several other state legislatures will vote on similar legislation during the current session.

(Blog author note: Two more states have passed autism insurance reform during this legislative season - New Mexico and Montana, bringing the national total to ten states with autism insurance reform law.)

To download a print copy of this release from Autism Votes