Letters published today in Columbus Dispatch and Akron Beacon Journal!

[Guest guest]

Good morning to everyone,2 updates:1.) We now have Rep Steve Driehaus in support of the bill - that makes 4 on the committee! Great job Sandy.

2.) We had 2 letters published today!!!!!Great job Jeff, Cliff and Barbara! Here are their letters!

Akron Beacon Journal today!

There are thousands of families in Ohio with children or adults with autism, and many do not have coverage under their health insurance policy because insurance companies are allowed to exclude autism coverage in Ohio.

We all know that this is unfair, discriminatory and we need to stop it.These families need help to offset the costs of treating children or adults with autism. The care can be very costly.However, early and intensive treatment for children diagnosed with autism gives them the best chance to reach their potential and become productive members of society, instead of a financial burden.

Without help the costs of treatment for a child with autism can drive many families to the brink of bankruptcy.We support House Bill 170, and ask for your support, as well.Every month we, like other families in our situation, spend hundred of dollars out of our own pockets for medical treatment, science-based interventions and therapies for our son, , without help from any government agency, and with very little insurance reimbursement.

A case of autism is diagnosed every 20 minutes, which equates to 72 new cases each day. In the last 16 years, the ratio of kids on the autism spectrum has risen from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 150.Because of these increasing numbers it is likely that someone in your family has autism or that you know someone with autism.

House Bill 170, if passed, would help these struggling families by prohibiting insurance companies from excluding treatments for autism.Other states such as Florida, South Carolina and Pennsylvania have passed similar laws. Ohio House Bill 170 has had several hearings and the committee is close to taking a vote.

We would like the House insurance committee to vote and pass this bill, allowing it to go for a full House vote when its members come back in session this fall.The families of children and adults with autism need your help. If you agree with us, please call your state representative, and encourage him/her to vote in favor of House Bill 170.

Cliff and Barbara DeCamp Stow **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here.(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

-- _______________________Jessie Beauvais Volunteer Committee, Co-Chair www.walknowforautism.org/columbus 2008 Columbus Walk Now for Autism

Sunday October 12, 2008 The Jerome Schottenstein Center Registration: 8:30AM Resource Fair: 8:30AM Walk: 10:00AM