ACT NOW!

The Detroit News has published an editorial article "opposing" the autism legislation that will end the insurance companies discrimination against people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. I will post the letter I wrote to them in response to their editorial. Please take a few moments and write your own thoughts. It is very important that we show the unions that oppose this legislation that we will not "lay down and die". We will fight, if necessary, to get this legislation passed. There are many in congress who are working hard to pass this legislation and come to the AID of our children & families.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712130317

Here is how to contact The Detroit News:

You can send letters to The Detroit News Editorial Page three different ways:
E-mail letters@detnews.com.
Fax us at (313) 222-6417.

Mail a letter to The Detroit News, Letters, Editorial Page, 615 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226. Please include home and work phone numbers, plus city of residence, for verification.
We prefer letters of 250 words or less. Direct rebuttals to editorials may be up to 300 words. Letters are subject to editing and become the property of The Detroit News. We do not consider letters to other publications.
Commentary

The Detroit News accepts submissions of commentaries between 600 and 750 words on current public policy and societal issues on the local, state, national and international scene. The work must be the author's own and it must be exclusive to The Detroit News in Southeast Michigan. We do not accept articles that have been submitted to the Free Press.

Please submit to Richard Burr, Associate Editor / Features, Editorial Page, The Detroit News, 615 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226, or fax to (313) 222-6417, or e-mail to comment@detnews.com.


Here is the letter I wrote:

I am deeply disturbed by your recent editorial "Head off latest health insurance mandate" that was written on Thursday, December 13th. In the article you state "It remains a costly idea". If you take the time to investigate further it will not take long for you to uncover that , in fact, autism is not omitted as a covered benefit in many states across our great nation...it is included as a covered benefit in Canada, as well. How do they manage to cover autism treatments? With a little bit of research, you will soon uncover that these necessary treatments for autism are deliverable with little impact to insurance costs. I think that once the public is fully informed, your scare tactics and your agenda will not produce "your desired effect". I am also disturbed by your carefree reference and short history of how diabetes became a covered benefit. Are you suggesting that covering diabetes is a mistake? My brother, mother in law, sister and aunt all have diabetes! What kind of Michigan do you envision? Do you envision a Michigan where only the select few "The Very Wealthy" will receive the intervention and treatments that they need?

Were you in attendance at the Health Policy Committee Hearing yesterday in Lansing concerning this legislation? Did you happen to hear the testimony of experts demonstrating that the impact on total health care costs is relatively small? Were you there when almost all of the parents in the room raised there hand that they were spending $20,000 + a year paying for the interventions for their children with autism? Did you hear the stories about the families that are losing their homes and have used all of their resources (including draining their 401Ks)? Did you hear the beautiful testimony of a little boy who testified at the hearing? He was precociously eloquent and moved many in the room to tears. Did you hear him say that he was diagnosed with autism when he was a little boy and has recovered from it (because his mother spent $70,000 and her entire financial future to provide him with this therapy)? Did you hear the testimony of the mother of two children with medical issues? Her son who was born premature received the Occupational Therapy he needed, the other son with autism (a neurobiological medical condition) could not get access to the same therapy. NO! This is not some secret plot by our legislator to as you said "Once again, some Michigan lawmakers are ...." It is a noble attempt by many amazing members of our Michigan Legislature to correct a wrong. It is time to end this discrimination against autism! Discrimination in any form is unacceptable!

You state that autism is a tragic affliction, but the meaning of your words are hollow. Your attempt at trying to show compassion will fall on deaf ears. Other states are providing access to these necessary medical treatments for autism because they recognize the billions of dollars their state will save over the lifetime of these individuals when many of these children recover enough to live life as independent adults. These states also know that it is the right thing to do. Withholding access to treatments that have the ability to be "Life Changing" is wrong. Especially when you consider that we are talking about our most vulnerable members of our society, our children. Currently, an 80 year old stroke victim has access to the Occupational Therapy that a child with autism does not. Does this make sense to any of you? Autism is a neurobiological condition and it’s symptoms are often treatable. Many children receiving intensive, early intervention will be profoundly affected by the therapies they receive. The CDC states that autism is currently striking 1:150 Children. Michigan has some of the highest diagnosis rates in the country. There are Representatives & Senators in Lansing who have been impacted by the autism epidemic through their own families...they are responding to our pleas because they understand what is at Stake. Believe me, when autism strikes close to home you will be grateful to those of us who are fighting for the end of this type of discrimination! Let me ask again "What kind of Michigan do you Envision"?