Autism Society of Ohio Alert: Vote on HB8 to be Tuesday Dec. 8

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of the Autism Society:The Autism Society of Ohio

has just received information that the vote in the Ohio House of

Representatives on Autism Insurance Coverage, HB8, will be held during

the session scheduled for this Tuesday, December 8, 2009.  The session

begins at 11am.There area several other bills up for

consideration during the session and there is no information on when in

the session HB8 will come up for consideration - so it may be a long

day.  However, if you are able, please plan on attending the opening of

the session and WEAR RED to show your support for HB8.  Please note

that signs, buttons, cheering, etc. are not permitted in the session

chambers.  Information on the location of session chambers can be found

at the information desk in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building.  

Supporters can meet in the Rotunda at 10:45am.Directions to the

Ohio Statehouse and information on parking are available at:

http://www.ohiochannel.org/your_state/ohio_statehouse/information/parking/index.cfm

If you have not yet contacted your state Representative to support

HB8, please do so ASAP.  When contacting your legislators, you can use

the following talking points:

· Autism currently affects 1 in 150 births - and that number is expected to

rise.

· 16 other states have adopted some form of autism insurance coverage

legislation – legislation pending in another 29 states.

· Covering medically necessary therapies today will go a long way toward

helping children to grow up and be functioning, tax paying citizens.

· Early treatment/coverage will save million of tax dollars down the road that

are going to things such as special education.

The best way to contact is to call the Representative's office, but an email,

postcard, or letter can also be effective.  The Autism Society has created an easy to use email action alert for HB

8 - autism insurance coverage - so if you have not yet contacted your

legislators, you can use this alert to do so.  Click here to use the action alert, or visit: https://secure2.convio.net/asa/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage & page=UserAction & id=339

The Autism Society cannot do this alone - it is important that

legislators hear from their constituents on this important issue, so contact

them as soon as possible.  To get information on how to contact your

legislators, click here,

or visit http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaymembers & Itemid=57. 

For more information on autism insurance coverage in Ohio, click here,

or visit: http://www.autismohio.org/index.php?option=com_content & task=view & id=816 & Itemid=149

Please share this email with anyone will to help with this effort!

As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact ASO at askASO@...

Sincerely,

Autism Society of Ohio

1335 Dublin Rd., Suite 205-C

Columbus, OH 43215

(614) 487-4726

fax: (614) 487-4725

general email: askASO@...

personal email: ASAASOExecDir@...

web: www.autismohio.org