Another illuminating blog entry by the San Fransisco Chrnoicle City Brights' Laura Shumaker with recent Seton Hall graduate and adult with autism Kerry Magro.
SAN FRANSISCO- A thought provoking list from my friend Kerry Magro:
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1. I wish that acceptance was easier to come by
2. I wish that loving one another was always on our mind
3. I wish that an "early diagnosis" remains a high priority
4. I wish that people would stop calling autism a disease
5. I wish that communication becomes easier for everyone with autism. We are trying.
6. I wish that we find more treatments to enhance the lives of people with autism
7. I wish that insurance for autism gets passed in all 50 states
8. I wish that the government would understand the need for services for the autistic in schools
9. I wish that autistic individuals can one day live their lives independently
Showing posts with label Insurance Coverage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Insurance Coverage. Show all posts
Friday, June 24, 2011
Autism Insurance Reform Bill Sent to Governor
ALBANY, N.Y. - State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R, Merrick) and Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle (D, Rochester) today announced an agreement between the Legislature and the Governor’s office in support of legislation to enable individuals with autism spectrum disorders to receive insurance coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment. The bill (S.4005-B) would save tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses spent by families caring for individuals with autism and address insurance companies’ refusal to cover costs for autism treatments and therapies.
Autism Spectrum Disorders affect individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 110 children, including 1 in 70 boys, are currently affected with autism.
The legislation, which has been approved by the Senate and the Assembly and will shortly be sent to the Governor’s office for his signature, requires insurance companies to provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including behavioral health treatments, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Insurance companies would be prohibited from terminating coverage or refusing to renew, adjust, amend, issue, or execute a policy solely because the individual has been diagnosed with or received treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
Autism Spectrum Disorders affect individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 110 children, including 1 in 70 boys, are currently affected with autism.
The legislation, which has been approved by the Senate and the Assembly and will shortly be sent to the Governor’s office for his signature, requires insurance companies to provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, including behavioral health treatments, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Insurance companies would be prohibited from terminating coverage or refusing to renew, adjust, amend, issue, or execute a policy solely because the individual has been diagnosed with or received treatment for autism spectrum disorders.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Autism Insurance Bill Nears Passage
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A measure that would require insurance companies in Rhode Island to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism is nearing final passage.
The House passed the bill Tuesday, and the Senate passed an identical bill last week. The bills need to be reconciled before they go to the governor.
According to a General Assembly news release, the legislation would require private insurers to provide up to $32,000 a year in benefits for medically prescribed behavioral therapies for children with autism, up to the age of 15.
The House passed the bill Tuesday, and the Senate passed an identical bill last week. The bills need to be reconciled before they go to the governor.
According to a General Assembly news release, the legislation would require private insurers to provide up to $32,000 a year in benefits for medically prescribed behavioral therapies for children with autism, up to the age of 15.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Va. Governor Pushing for Autism Coverage
RICHMOND, Va. -- Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) said Wednesday he will propose amendments to a bill that will require businesses to provide insurance coverage for children with autism.
The bill was passed by the General Assembly last month after 11 years of attempts. However, opponents say the state cannot afford the costs in a tough economic climate.
Twenty-three other states mandate coverage for autism. Parents of children with autism and other advocates have been e-mailing the governor urging him to sign the bill as is written.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Virginia Gov. Seeks to Amend Bill Providing Autism Insurance Coverage for Children
RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will propose a series of amendments to a bill that would require businesses to provide insurance coverage for children with autism, according to several legislators with knowledge of the changes.
The bill, passed by the General Assembly last month after 11 years of failed attempts, is strongly opposed by the business community, which considers the proposal a financial burden that companies cannot afford in tough economic times.
The bill, passed by the General Assembly last month after 11 years of failed attempts, is strongly opposed by the business community, which considers the proposal a financial burden that companies cannot afford in tough economic times.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Pressing Employers for Autism Coverage
As diagnoses of autism rise, a growing number of families are grappling with the worry and expense of finding treatment and special education for children with the complex developmental disorder. And many are pressing employers and legislators for help.
An estimated one in 110 children is diagnosed with autism in the U.S., and its prevalence is increasing for reasons that aren't well understood, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Average medical expenditures for those with autism-spectrum disorders exceed those without by $4,110 to $6,200 per year, the CDC states.
In response, at least 23 states, including Indiana, South Carolina, Arizona and Massachusetts, have passed laws in the last few years requiring state-regulated group health plans to include autism coverage, according to the National Council of State Legislatures, though many states have caps on the mandates. Most other states and Washington, D.C., have similar bills pending, according to Autism Speaks, an advocacy group. Only Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming don't have bills requiring autism coverage on their agendas.
An estimated one in 110 children is diagnosed with autism in the U.S., and its prevalence is increasing for reasons that aren't well understood, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Average medical expenditures for those with autism-spectrum disorders exceed those without by $4,110 to $6,200 per year, the CDC states.
In response, at least 23 states, including Indiana, South Carolina, Arizona and Massachusetts, have passed laws in the last few years requiring state-regulated group health plans to include autism coverage, according to the National Council of State Legislatures, though many states have caps on the mandates. Most other states and Washington, D.C., have similar bills pending, according to Autism Speaks, an advocacy group. Only Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming don't have bills requiring autism coverage on their agendas.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
House OKs Autism Bill in Ohio
COLUMBUS, OHIO -- Many health-insurance plans could no longer exclude coverage for autism or diabetes under bills that passed the Ohio House Tuesday over objections of most Republicans.
Though the rate of autism diagnoses make it the fastest-growing disability in the United States, and studies show success with early treatment, current Ohio law explicitly allows insurance companies to exclude coverage for children and adults with the disorder.
Though the rate of autism diagnoses make it the fastest-growing disability in the United States, and studies show success with early treatment, current Ohio law explicitly allows insurance companies to exclude coverage for children and adults with the disorder.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Conference Tackles Autism Research and Funding
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. -- Significantly increasing funding for autism research and making insurance companies pay for treatment were among the major ideas offered at a government-university sponsored conference and rally on autism here Tuesday.
"Those are the top items of the day," said Mark Roithmyer, president of Autism Speaks, the largest advocacy agency for the disease in the world.
In response, Susan Pisano, a spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plan in Washington, D.C., said "there has been a recent attempt to shift the responsibility for some educational services to the health care systems, and our customers tell us they can't pay any more."
But Roithmyer said 15 states have mandated that insurance companies provide additional services and noted, "New York State could be next. Harvey Weisenberg [D-Long Beach] is sponsoring such a bill in the Assembly and Sen. Charles Fuschillo [R-Merrick] in the Senate."
"Those are the top items of the day," said Mark Roithmyer, president of Autism Speaks, the largest advocacy agency for the disease in the world.
In response, Susan Pisano, a spokeswoman for America's Health Insurance Plan in Washington, D.C., said "there has been a recent attempt to shift the responsibility for some educational services to the health care systems, and our customers tell us they can't pay any more."
But Roithmyer said 15 states have mandated that insurance companies provide additional services and noted, "New York State could be next. Harvey Weisenberg [D-Long Beach] is sponsoring such a bill in the Assembly and Sen. Charles Fuschillo [R-Merrick] in the Senate."
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Parents Hail New Jersey's Autism Coverage Law
New Jersey residents who have children with autism and who must pay a significant amount of money for the cost of therapy will remember Aug. 13, 2009, for a long time.
"Aug. 13 was an emotional and victorious day for families that have children with autism," said Sharon Dey of Jackson, who is the parent of an autistic child. "If this law helps one child, the long road was worth it. But we all know it will help thousands more. The rate of autism in New Jersey is now 1 in 94 children."
Dey, who is the vice president of the Jackson Board of Education, said the new state law should benefit many families in the area.
She said coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy is, in her opinion, the key element of the law.
"Aug. 13 was an emotional and victorious day for families that have children with autism," said Sharon Dey of Jackson, who is the parent of an autistic child. "If this law helps one child, the long road was worth it. But we all know it will help thousands more. The rate of autism in New Jersey is now 1 in 94 children."
Dey, who is the vice president of the Jackson Board of Education, said the new state law should benefit many families in the area.
She said coverage for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy is, in her opinion, the key element of the law.
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