ASA-ASO ACTION ALERT: 2nd Autism Insurance Coverage Bill Hearing Scheduled

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASA-ASO:

The first hearing of HB 8, Autism Insurance Coverage, before the House Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee, held Wednesday, March 11, 2009 went very well. Many thanks to the individuals with autism, their families, service providers and other supporters who completely filled the hearing room!

The Committee, chaired by Rep. Lorraine Fende, heard testimony from Co-sponsors Representatives Ted Celeste (D-Columbus) and Garland (D-Columbus) on the scope of the bill and why they introduced it. Questions from the committee involved the impact of the legislation on small businesses, the types of plans covered by the bill, autism spectrum disorders, the prevalence of autism, the number of autism centers in Ohio and the role of Medicaid in services for individuals with autism.

The committee then heard testimony from proponents (those in favor of the legislation). ASA-ASO Executive Director Barbara Yavorcik testified on behalf of Ohioans with autism and their families as well as highlighting her own situation with her 20 year old son with autism. Noriko Kantake, the parent of a nine year old non-verbal son with autism from SE Ohio and President of the ASA-SE Ohio chapter spoke eloquently about her situation and the lack of coverage and services in her area. Dr. Jacquie Wynn from Nationwide Children's Hospital spoke of the services provided by their autism clinic, the challenges for service providers and the many challenges and sometimes heartbreaking choices faced by the many families they serve. Questions from the committee included access to services, the spectrum of autism, costs of services, involvement of schools in autism services, involvement of Medicaid services, if there are age limits for treatment, and types of treatments and therapies that would be covered.

The second hearing for the newly introduced Autism Insurance Coverage Legislation - HB 8 - has been scheduled before the House Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee on March 18th at 3pm in Rm. 122 of the Statehouse. Once again this will be the only bill under consideration at this hearing.

And once again, ASA-ASO and the alliance of other interested parties that have come together to work collaboratively to pass autism insurance coverage in Ohio have arranged for a cross section of proponents to testify that day as well representing parents, providers and small business. Additionally, this will be the first opportunity for those opposing the bill to testify as well. And once again your help is also needed! Filling the hearing room with supporters of HB 8 will send a strong message to members of the committee and those opposing the bill, so if you are able to do so, please attend the hearing and show your support for Reps. Celeste and Garland and HB 8.

HB 8 is a priority bill for the House Democrats so additional hearings on HB 8 are likely to be scheduled within the next several weeks. ASA-ASO will send out alerts as additional hearings are scheduled.

The ASA-Autism Society of Ohio has created a web page devoted exclusively to Autism Insurance Coverage. Click here to visit. It contains complete information on Autism Insurance Parity and HB 8.

Sincerely,

Autism Society of America - Autism Society of Ohio Chapter701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org-------------------------------------

State Representative Lorraine Fende ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEE MEETING COMMITTEE: Healthcare Access and AffordabilityCHAIRWOMAN: Rep. Lorraine M. Fende DATE: March 18, 2008 TIME: 3:00 PMROOM: 122 BILLS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD: BILL SPONSOR TITLE STATUS HB 8 Celeste/Garland Insurance Coverage – Autism 2nd Hearing Pro/Opp

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