Showing posts with label letter writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letter writing. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

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)!


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
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Monday, May 4, 2009

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

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

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

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

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR ACTION
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Monday, April 20, 2009

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

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!
----------------------
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
------------------------------------
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, April 17, 2009

Get testimony in before the 4/24 Committee Meeting!

The next meeting of the House Health Care Committee
currently deliberating on Oregon HB 3000 is
Friday, April 24, 2009, 3:00PM, Rm.HR D, State Capitol!

It is very important to send your testimony to ALL of the members of the House Health Care Committee about HB 3000 BEFORE the meeting, since there is a good chance that the Committee will be bringing the bill to a vote.

Be especially sure to contact the Chairman, Rep. Mitch Greenlick (D-NW Portland) and tell him to vote YES and get this bill out of Committee with a "Do pass" recommendation to the floor of the Oregon House.
See this post for the Committee contact information and what the talking points are.

House Health Care Committee Work Session
April 24, 2009, 3:00PM
Room HR D, Oregon Capitol, Salem, Oregon

Phone for the Committee/Committee Staff: 503-986-1286

Work Session

HB 3000: Requires health insurers and state medical assistance program to reimburse for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
Is second out of three bills being addressed in the work session.

[Blog author correction: 4/20/09 -This is a work session and no spoken testimony will be taken by the Committee during this meeting. Apologies for the previous misstatement implying so. Written testimony is welcome and ENCOURAGED to be submitted to the Committee by email before the meeting. Please send such testimony to ALL the Committee members.]

To view the proceedings by Streaming video (live only and not archived)
To listen by Streaming audio, or to access the Audio Archive of this or other legislative activities
Legislative Audio and Video
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Timeline and Call for action on HB 3000

Timeline and Call for Action so far on Oregon House Bill 3000 (HB 3000) Sponsored by Representatives BUCKLEY, GREENLICK, C. EDWARDS; KOTEK, TOMEI, Senator BATES
Requires health insurers and state medical assistance program to reimburse for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

HB 3000 seeks to end autism insurance discrimination and provide children with medically necessary, evidence based treatments and therapies that they need and deserve...including ABA therapy!

TIMELINE SO FAR,


CALL FOR ACTION

We have officially kicked off autism insurance reform legislation in the state of Oregon.

The April 8 Committee hearing on HB 3000 was amazing ! Our advocates gave incredible testimony. Thanks so much to those who attended and to those who testified.

Now, YOUR HELP is URGENTLY NEEDED to get HB 3000 passed OUT OF COMMITTEE and heading toward the Oregon House floor to move the bill toward passage into law that can be a reality for Oregon's children with autism.

Here is How You Can Help:

1. CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE MITCH GREENLICK (D-33-NW Portland), CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE, AND ASK HIM TO SCHEDULE A VOTE ON HB 3000!
(503) 986-1433 rep.mitchgreenlick@state.or.us

Let him know that you want HB 3000 to be able to continue through legislative process and you would like him to move for executive action and a vote on HB 3000. You are also asking him to vote YES when that vote is called.
PHONE CALLS are extremely important. Thank the Representative for his sponsorship of HB 3000, but also explain to him why this measure is so important to your family and your child with autism and take the time to FOLLOW UP by email and personalize your email in more detail.

The Chairman sets the agenda for the Committee and has a leadership role in progress of bills, so it is very important to let Rep. Greenlick know that stakeholders want this bill to be approved by the Committee and come to the floor of the legislature for a vote.

2. CONTACT ALL THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND ASK THEM TO VOTE "YES" WHEN HB 3000 IS CALLED FOR A VOTE! Again, CALLS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. If you are a constituent in the member's district, BE SURE TO LET HIM OR HER KNOW. Follow up IN WRITING with a more detailed email, explaining how HB 3000 will positively impact your family! Some suggestions on talking points to highlight in your email are below.

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. Bill Kennemer (R-39-Oregon City+) -(503) 986-1439 rep.billkennemer@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. Ben Cannon (D-46-Portland) - (503) 986-1446 rep.bencannon@state.or.us
Rep. Michael Dembrow (D-45-Portland) - (503) 986-1445 rep.michaeldembrow@state.or.us
Rep. Chris Garrett (D-38-Lake Oswego) - (503) 986-1438 rep.chrisgarrett@state.or.us
Rep. Tina Kotek (D-44-NE Portland) - (503) 986-1444 rep.tinakotek@state.or.us

Another option is to use the modifiable cyber-letter at AutismVotes to email the Health Care Committee members.

Suggested talking points:

  • Education and Medicaid are at the table and HB 3000 brings health insurance to the table as well in an integrated approach to treatment and medical managment of autism.
  • Autism can be compared to diabetes, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other medical conditions diagnosed during childhood that are covered by insurance policies, and that exclusion of the medical condition of autism represents discrimination.
  • Indiana's mandate for autism insurance coverage went into effect July 2001 and reports negligible changes in insurance premiums due to this coverage. This is important, since the "cost" may be forwarded as a reason to stop the bill's progress. Many cost analyses have shown that the projected increase in premium costs will be very low, and a bargain compared to future costs of treatment and management by society and families if coverage continues to be excluded or rejected by health insurance.
  • The most commonly prescribed treatment for autism is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). ABA at an appropriate level of intensity and duration has been endorsed by a United States Surgeon General, the New York Department of Health, the National Research Council, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, and the American Academy of Pediatrics as an appropriate treatment modality for children with autism.
    (The report of the Oregon Health Resources Commission (HRC) in 2008 reported that data is insufficient to support ABA as a strongly evidence treatment, primarily on the basis that ABA studies use a particular research design, however other treatments in this report received even weaker evaluations).
  • YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

3. CONTACT EVERY AUTISM FAMILY, FRIEND AND ADVOCATE YOU KNOW AND URGE THEM TO ALSO TAKE ACTION ON HB 3000.

4. GO TO THE AUTISM VOTES OREGON PAGE TO USE THE "WRITE YOUR LEGISLATOR" FORM TO ALSO WRITE YOUR LEGISLATOR AND TO SIGN-UP FOR ACTION NOTICES.

Individual action is wonderful and sincerely appreciated, but in order for any grassroots movement to succeed, we must multiply our efforts and voices.
Please pass this message on to

  • Family members,
  • Co-workers,
  • Neighbors,
  • Friends, and
  • People who work with your child.

Ask them to also please take the time to make these calls and send these emails on your child's, and so many Oregon children's behalf.
Our legislative session only meets EVERY OTHER YEAR, so this is our chance and THE YEAR to end discrimination against our children when it comes to insurance coverage and join 10 other states in the nation in giving them the access to medical care that they need!


Happy Dialing!

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)