ATTN Autism Advocate: We Need Your Help Right Now to Ensure Congress Ends Autism Insurance Discrimination - The next Few Hours Are Critical

[Guest guest]

Dear�Autism Advocate,

After a short August recess, Autism Votes is back and we need your help RIGHT

NOW�to ensure Congress ends autism insurance discrimination!�

In a few hours, the Senate Finance Committee will vote on an amendment to the

Committee's version of the health care reform bill (the America's Healthy Future

Act of 2009) introduced by Senator Menendez (D-NJ) specifying that the

basic benefits package must provide coverage of behavioral health treatments. If

passed, this amendment will be a major step forward towards ending autism

insurance discrimination from coast to coast.

The good news is the�Chair of the Committee, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)

supports this amendment!� We need your help�RIGHT NOW�to ensure that the

members of the Senate Finance Committee support Sen. Menendez's amendment and

make sure that individuals with autism do not fall through the cracks during

this great debate over health care. Bottom line: any health care reform bill

that does not�end autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable!

Here is How YOU Can Help:

1. SENATOR�BAUCUS, CHAIR OF THE�SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE SUPPORTS THE

AMENDMENT! CALL SENATOR BAUCUS AND THANK HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT.�

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) (Chairman) - (202) 224-4515

2.� CALL THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE LISTED BELOW AND TELL

THEM TO SUPPORT THE MENENDEZ AMENDMENT FOR INCLUSION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

TREATMENTS!

Sen. D. Rockefeller IV�- (202) 224-6472

Sen. Jeff Bingaman - (202) 224-5521

Sen. Kerry�- (202) 224-2742

Sen. Ron Wyden�- (202) 224-5244

Sen. Schumer�- (202) 224-6542

Sen. Debbie Stabenow�- (202) 224-4822

Sen. Cantwell� (202) 244-3441

Sen. Bill �- (202) 244-5274

Sen. Carper�- (202) 224-2441

Not sure of what to say? Say this:

" Hi, my name is __________ and I�live in (City, State). I would like to let

Senator�(name) know that I believe that any healthcare reform bill that does

not end autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable and that I would like

him/her to support the amendment put forth by Senator Menendez that seeks to end

autism insurance discrimination. Thank you so much. "

2. FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT CAN HELP MAKE THESE PHONE CALLS.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, therapists, teachers, coworkers and neighbors -

anyone who has ever said that they wished there was something they could do to

help your child with autism. They can do this. They can help you end autism

insurance discrimination so that you can get your child the therapy and

treatment that they need.

Working together we can effectively end autism insurance�discrimination for

all the children�from coast to coast!� For more information, visit our

website at www.autismvotes.org.

Sincerely,

Hendrix

Director of State Advocacy Relations, Government Relations

Autism Speaks

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