Saturday, December 15, 2007
Link to Health Policy Committee Web Page
Click on this link to visit the Health Policy Committee web page. You can view the minutes from the hearing and read written copies of testimony given.
Genesee County - News Coverage of Insurance Legislation
Click on this link to view the Genesee area news coverage of the Insurance Legislation!
Thanks to Cheryll Ennest of The Autism Support Group of Genesee County for sending this link!
Thanks to Cheryll Ennest of The Autism Support Group of Genesee County for sending this link!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Bus heading to Lansing on Thursday: Seats Available!!
Thanks to wonderful parents- Jill and Ron Bellestri- we now have a bus to take up to 48 people to Lansing for the autism insurance legislation hearing on Thursday. The bus is leaving from the Judson parking lot in Royal Oak at 7 am (so get there around 6:45 to be safe) and will return to Judson after the hearing is done. To reserve a spot on the bus, you JUST RSVP to Jill, either by calling her at 248-670-0785 or email her at jillbellestri@yahoo.com. The seats are sure to go fast, so please only reserve the space if you are sure to be using the seat! Feel free to email me with any questions....
Thanks, Ron and Jill!!
Stephanie
www.michiganaction.org
Thanks, Ron and Jill!!
Stephanie
www.michiganaction.org
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Senator Tupac Hunter's Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sen Tupac Hunter
Dec 4, 2007
Phone: (517) 373-0994
SEN. HUNTER AND REPS. ANGERER AND BALL INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE AUTISM INSURANCE COVERAGE
Bill will assure needed health-related services for autistic children
LANSING- LANSING- Sen. Tupac A. Hunter (D-Detroit), Rep. Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee), and Rep. Richard Ball (R-Bennington Twp.) have introduced legislation that would require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism-related services. These services include but are not limited to therapeutic evaluations and interventions, speech, occupational, and physical therapy, intensive early intervention, applied behavioral analysis and therapy.
"As knowledge and awareness increases regarding autism, diagnoses are on the rise," Sen. Hunter said. "This legislation will provide services that are proven to be effective in treating autistic children, with little cost to individual consumer health insurance premiums."
Treatments for autism are difficult to access, often inadequate, and frequently delayed. Without private group health insurance coverage, parents are often forced either to pay out-of-pocket or forego the necessary treatments.
"This legislation will ultimately improve the outcomes for autistic children, which will actually decrease the life-time treatment costs," said Rep. Angerer. "And that will result in overall health insurance savings.
Twenty-five states have either introduced bills to mandate some degree of coverage, or already require some degree of coverage for autism related expenses. Michigan's participation in this effort will mean that the majority of states have now joined this fight.
"Autism is a relatively rare, but extremely debilitating condition that affects over 11,000 school-age children in Michigan," said Rep. Ball. "As an optometrist I have examined these children many of whom are very intelligent, but suffer from extreme communication problems. This package of bills would help provide insurance coverage for diagnosis and treatment, as well as a Michigan income tax check-off box to fund research on autism."
Contact: Sen Tupac Hunter
Dec 4, 2007
Phone: (517) 373-0994
SEN. HUNTER AND REPS. ANGERER AND BALL INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE AUTISM INSURANCE COVERAGE
Bill will assure needed health-related services for autistic children
LANSING- LANSING- Sen. Tupac A. Hunter (D-Detroit), Rep. Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee), and Rep. Richard Ball (R-Bennington Twp.) have introduced legislation that would require insurance companies to provide coverage for autism-related services. These services include but are not limited to therapeutic evaluations and interventions, speech, occupational, and physical therapy, intensive early intervention, applied behavioral analysis and therapy.
"As knowledge and awareness increases regarding autism, diagnoses are on the rise," Sen. Hunter said. "This legislation will provide services that are proven to be effective in treating autistic children, with little cost to individual consumer health insurance premiums."
Treatments for autism are difficult to access, often inadequate, and frequently delayed. Without private group health insurance coverage, parents are often forced either to pay out-of-pocket or forego the necessary treatments.
"This legislation will ultimately improve the outcomes for autistic children, which will actually decrease the life-time treatment costs," said Rep. Angerer. "And that will result in overall health insurance savings.
Twenty-five states have either introduced bills to mandate some degree of coverage, or already require some degree of coverage for autism related expenses. Michigan's participation in this effort will mean that the majority of states have now joined this fight.
"Autism is a relatively rare, but extremely debilitating condition that affects over 11,000 school-age children in Michigan," said Rep. Ball. "As an optometrist I have examined these children many of whom are very intelligent, but suffer from extreme communication problems. This package of bills would help provide insurance coverage for diagnosis and treatment, as well as a Michigan income tax check-off box to fund research on autism."
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Letter Writing Template
Use this Template if it helps!
Dear Legislator (fill in name),
I am the (fill in parent, sibling, grandparent, acquaintance, ) of a child with autism. Autism is a neurological disorder, which affects the parts of the brain that control language and joint-attention. We believe this neurological disorder should be covered under health insurance, just as strokes and other neurological disorders are covered. Our children deserve the opportunity to get the treatment they need!
My developmental pediatrician tells me that, with therapy, my (fill in son/daughter/friend/family member ) will possibly go on to a regular elementary school with "typical" children, and could even excel academically. Without therapy, however, (fill in his/her) progress would halt or regress, and (fill in he/she) would never develop the language or other skills that are necessary to participate in a typical classroom, or the workforce, one day.
Since my insurance will not pay for the treatments for my child, I have had to (please enter short narrative about your direct experience).
The children of our state deserve to share their talents with all of society, pay taxes, and contribute to our local economy -- instead of ending up on permanent disability. Perhaps this realization is why several other states have passed similar legislation. By supporting the Autism Insurance Bills, you will not only help these children but will also help our state for years to come.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Dear Legislator (fill in name),
I am the (fill in parent, sibling, grandparent, acquaintance, ) of a child with autism. Autism is a neurological disorder, which affects the parts of the brain that control language and joint-attention. We believe this neurological disorder should be covered under health insurance, just as strokes and other neurological disorders are covered. Our children deserve the opportunity to get the treatment they need!
My developmental pediatrician tells me that, with therapy, my (fill in son/daughter/friend/family member ) will possibly go on to a regular elementary school with "typical" children, and could even excel academically. Without therapy, however, (fill in his/her) progress would halt or regress, and (fill in he/she) would never develop the language or other skills that are necessary to participate in a typical classroom, or the workforce, one day.
Since my insurance will not pay for the treatments for my child, I have had to (please enter short narrative about your direct experience).
The children of our state deserve to share their talents with all of society, pay taxes, and contribute to our local economy -- instead of ending up on permanent disability. Perhaps this realization is why several other states have passed similar legislation. By supporting the Autism Insurance Bills, you will not only help these children but will also help our state for years to come.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address
Your Phone Number
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Can you help us? We are looking for help in two areas.....
(1)We are looking for members of the Michigan Autism Community to contact Senator George. If you reside in Senator George's District, that is even better. We need people to contact him and ask him to hold a hearing (similar to the one to be held next month in the House) on senate bills 784 & 785 in front of the Senate Health Policy Committee. Senator George's phone number is (517)373-0793 and his email is sentgeorge@senate.michigan.gov
Senator George represents the 20th State Senate District including all of Kalamazoo county plus Paw Paw and Antwerp Townships in Van Buren county.
(2)We also need you to contact Senator Bishop. We need members of the Autism Community (if you are in his District, even better) to write/call him in support of the Autism Insurance Legislation. Ask him, as Senate Majority Leader, to rally the Republican Caucus in support of this bipartisan, children's issue and co-sponsor Senate Bills 784 & 785. Senator Bishop's phone number is (517)373-2417 and his email is senmbishop@senate.michigan.gov .
Senator Bishop represents the 12th State Senate District and is located in Oakland county and includes: Addison Twp, Auburn Hills city, Independence Twp, Keego Harbor city, Lake Angelus city, Oakland Twp, Orion Twp, Oxford Twp, Pontiac city, Rochester city, Rochester Hills city, Sylvan Lake city and Clarkston city.
We appreciate your help and support!!!
(1)We are looking for members of the Michigan Autism Community to contact Senator George. If you reside in Senator George's District, that is even better. We need people to contact him and ask him to hold a hearing (similar to the one to be held next month in the House) on senate bills 784 & 785 in front of the Senate Health Policy Committee. Senator George's phone number is (517)373-0793 and his email is sentgeorge@senate.michigan.gov
Senator George represents the 20th State Senate District including all of Kalamazoo county plus Paw Paw and Antwerp Townships in Van Buren county.
(2)We also need you to contact Senator Bishop. We need members of the Autism Community (if you are in his District, even better) to write/call him in support of the Autism Insurance Legislation. Ask him, as Senate Majority Leader, to rally the Republican Caucus in support of this bipartisan, children's issue and co-sponsor Senate Bills 784 & 785. Senator Bishop's phone number is (517)373-2417 and his email is senmbishop@senate.michigan.gov .
Senator Bishop represents the 12th State Senate District and is located in Oakland county and includes: Addison Twp, Auburn Hills city, Independence Twp, Keego Harbor city, Lake Angelus city, Oakland Twp, Orion Twp, Oxford Twp, Pontiac city, Rochester city, Rochester Hills city, Sylvan Lake city and Clarkston city.
We appreciate your help and support!!!
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