Rally in Lansing on Capitol Steps....April 22nd

This message was posted on the Michigan ACTION site. http://michiganaction.org


Have you, or someone you love, been touched by Autism?
If so, you can help!

PLEASE JOIN US IN LANSING on Apr.22 - We Need YOU!!
Rally on the Capitol Steps 11am - 2pm

We are planning a Rally on the Capitol Steps on Apr. 22 at 11am - 2pm. It is Autism Awareness Month and this is our chance to make our insurance bills front and center. We need EVERYONE for this one!! Please, bring your friends, relatives, neighbors and, especially, your families. We need to have a strong showing, a really strong showing! We are trying to get at least 1,000 people on the steps in Lansing!! This is our big chance, all the legislators will see us, we've made sure of that. It is our time to show them just how big this problem is, that we have the numbers to make a difference and our votes will be heard. We have a good chance of getting these bills through this year, but we can't do it without your help! More details will come as we get closer, but we wanted to give you time to make arrangements at work, etc. Let's show them we won't accept anything less than equal insurance coverage! Please, share this information with everyone - pass this on!

Call to Action: We need to get our troops in order! To have a strong "army" we must have large numbers - Please, we need names, addresses, phone and emails for anyone who is a registered voter. So, when the time comes, we can have them contact their Reps. to let them know just how important this issue is. We will send out an email template where all you have to do is fill in your name. We need at least 5 names from every district (MI has 110 of them). We especially need contacts Up North, in the U.P. and on the West side of the state too. Husbands & Wives count as 2 people so please - Help us build a strong Army!
Breaking News: “Autism Speaks sends heartfelt thanks to our many supporters in the Senate for their steadfast support of autism research funding. Senator Chris Dodd and Senator Susan Collins offered an amendment to the FY2009 Budget Resolution to increase funding for autism research, education and early detection by $197 million. This increase authorizes doubling of autism research funding. Additionally, Senator Arlen Specter and Senator Tom Harkin offered an amendment to increase research funding at the NIH by 2 billion in FY2009. Both amendments passed overwhelmingly. Thank you, Senators, for your efforts on behalf of children, adults, and families affected by autism.” These votes happened late last night and we want to thank all of you in MI who jumped in and helped contact our senators yesterday! LOOK what we were able to do! WE CAN DO THIS SAME THING WITH OUR MICHIGAN BILLS!! We need you in LANSING on APR. 22!!!!

Call to have your Senator support Senate Bills 784 and 785 to allow
access to treatment for children with Autism who have insurance, but are not covered.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/Senate/htm/2007-SIB-0785.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/Senate/htm/2007-SIB-0784.htm

Call your Representative and ask them to support House Bills 5527 & 5529.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/House/pdf/2007-HIB-5527.pdf
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2007-2008/billintroduced/House/pdf/2007-HIB-5529.pdf

To find your Senator contact information: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/
To find your Representative contact information: http://www.house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp/
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Legislation

Many supporters at the Legislative Hearing!
Click on this link to see the news coverage of the press conference.

Michigan Legislative Update! Updated News 12/13/07

Autism insurance legislation was introduced on 12/4/07 into the Michigan House of Representatives! Representative Kathy Angerer and Representative Richard Ball introduced two bills (House Bills No. 5529 and 5527) requiring insurance companies to cover diagnosis and treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders. This means that the Autism Insurance Bills have come out with bi-partisan support from both parties. We are pleased with this important "new development"! These Bills are companion bills to Senate Bills 784 & 785 that were introduced into the Michigan Senate by Senator Tupac Hunter in September. Thank You to everyone who attended the press conference on December4th. The press conference went very well....

The attendance at the hearing was wonderful! The room was packed and thank you to all who made the trip to Lansing.

The two check-off House bills (No. 5526 & No. 5528) were voted on and passed out of committee. Every committee member present at the hearing voted "YES" !! The bills (when passed into law) will provide a box on income tax forms to establish a state managed autism fund. We had a strong showing at the hearing and we effectively communicated to the members of the committee how desperately this legislation is needed!! Many people testified at the hearing with their stories. It was an emotional experience for many of us..... Also, research information & cost-benefit analysis information were presented by several well-qualified professionals. The hearing went very well and now we will focus on organizing & growing support for these bills!

If you haven't had the chance yet, get those personal stories written and sent to us. Our email address is: autisminsurancemi@sbcglobal.net. Please include your address, also forward your letter to your State Representative & State Senator. We have worked very hard to get these bills introduced, but we need your help to ensure they pass and become law! Your legislator’s need to hear that Autism Insurance Coverage is an important issue to you and to your family. Try to get everyone you know to contact their representatives & senators in support of these bills! This is how we will defeat the opposition! Together we can pass this important legislation!

Please share this Autism Insurance News with others you know in the community!

Autism Speaks Promotes Legislation!

Autism Speaks announces "MICHIGAN" as a KEY battleground in the effort to change Insurance laws!

Autism Speaks Announces Multi-State Insurance Legislation Campaign Florida, California, Michigan and Pennsylvania are Key Battlegrounds in Effort to Change Insurance Laws and Require Coverage of Medically Necessary Services.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-flpautism1228pndec28,0,7162133.story Video footage of Donald Trump and his fundraising efforts to support this campaign.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/press/insurance_legislation_campaign.php