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

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASA-ASO:

The Autism Insurance Coverage Bill has been introduced in the Ohio House!

Currently in Ohio, insurance companies can exclude autism services and treatments from coverage. This puts an increased burden on families, schools, and the state support system. Autism is a medical condition and treatments for autism should be covered the same as the treatment for other medical conditions.

Representatives Ted Celeste (D-Columbus) and Garland (D-Columbus) have introduced an autism insurance coverage bill in the Ohio House of Representatives – HB8. HB8 is currently under consideration by the Ohio House Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee, chaired by Rep. Lorraine Fende.

The first hearing for the newly introduced Autism Insurance Coverage Legislation - HB 8 - has been scheduled before the House Healthcare Access and Affordability Committee on March 11th at 4pm in Rm. 113 of the Statehouse. This will be the only bill under consideration at this hearing.

Bill Sponsors Reps. Celeste and Garland will be testifying that day. ASA-ASO and an alliance of other interested parties have come together to work collaboratively to pass autism insurance coverage in Ohio and the alliance has arranged for other proponents to testify that day as well. But your help is also needed! Filling the hearing room with supporters of HB 8 will send a strong message to members of the committee, 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 Parity. Click here to visit. It contains complete information on Autism Insurance Parity and HB 8.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikExecutive DirectorAutism 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 FendeANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMITTEE MEETINGCOMMITTEE: Healthcare Access and AffordabilityCHAIRWOMAN: Rep. Lorraine M. Fende DATE: March 11, 2008 TIME: 4:00 PMROOM: 113BILLS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD: BILL SPONSOR TITLE STATUS HB 8 Celeste/Garland Insurance Coverage – Autism 1st Hearing Sponsor Testimony/Proponent Worried about job security? Check out the 5 safest jobs in a recession.