ASO ALERT: Autism Insurance Parity Update

[Guest guest]

Dear Autism Insurance Parity Advocate:Thank you so much to those of you who sent testimony and stories for the Ohio House Insurance Committee hearing on Autism Insurance Parity on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at the Statehouse. This is a follow up to provide information on the hearing.

There was no opponent or "interested party" testimony at this hearing.The following professionals presented proponent testimony: Eichelberger Ph.D.

Director of Early Intervention Services

Nationwide Children's Hospital Autism Clinic

Jim Mulick Ph.D.

ProfessorDepartment of Pediatrics (Nationwide Children's Hospital) College of Medicine The Ohio State University

Parents presenting proponent testimony were Kim Evangelisti (NE Ohio) and la ston (Delaware area) read by Marla Root, Candi Belanich (Dayton area) read by Lori Peacock and SE Ohio ASA Chapter President Noriko Kantake (Athens area) read by Pat Cloppert, President of the Central Ohio Chapter of the ASA, who also made a statement of support on behalf of the Autism Society of Ohio.

Additional written testimony was submitted on behalf of parents Melville (NE Ohio) and Doug Krinsky (Westerville) as time did not permit all of the testimony to be read.

The testimony was powerful and committee members had numerous questions for Dr. Mulick, which took up a large portion of the hearing.

The House Insurance Committee will most likely be scheduling at least two additional hearings on this issue after the first of the year. We have kept all of the stories and testimony that was not used or read for use at upcoming hearings. Again - THANK YOU for sending them in on such short notice.

The Autism Insurance Parity Committee is working hard on compiling cost figures, developing a "frequently asked questions" flyer and setting up meetings with specific legislatiors. An additional action alert will also be coming out shortly.

If you would like to be part of the Insurance Parity Advocate network, please send the following information:

Name

Address

Phone

Email

State Representative's, State Senator's Name

to askASO@.... Please put AUTISM INSURANCE PARITY in the subject line.

Thank you for working with us to pass autism insurance parity!Sincerely,Barbara C. YavorcikCo-PresidentAutism Society of OhioFor the Autism Insurance Parity Committee:Lori Peacock, Doug Krinsky, Marla Root, Petrill, Jacquie Wynn, Rep. Jon , Rep. Ted Celeste, Barb Yavorcik, Andie Ryley

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