The Hearing went well today in Lansing. We got 20 mins total to speak, and 5 of "us" spoke and I must say, put up some DAMN good arguments. Thanks to Tom and Amy for coming from Kalamazoo and giving some seriously compelling testimony. I heard from one attendee that said Tom's testimony was Amazing! We had a lot of people there representing the Autism community---thank you to all those who attended and to all those who emailed and called their Senators!! We got lots of good feedback from those of you who attended so we are hoping we did the job right. There is more work to be done though! It seems as though the health policy committee may pick ONE mandate to pass out of committee. Please keep watching this site as we will be asking you all to call and email your Senators and Reps---OUR NEXT MOVE IS LIKELY TO BE TO ASK THEM TO CO-SPONSOR THESE BILLS. Please keep this in mind and think about taking one morning or one afternoon in the next month to ask your Senator and Representative for a personal meeting, whether it must be in Lansing or local to you. We will ask you all to begin working on this in the next few weeks. We have gotten some good information that these bills may be voted out of House committee in June but we must keep the pressure ON! Just to show you how important "pressure" is, here is what Crain's Business said about this hearing:
"Sen. Tom George, R-Kalamazoo, said he called the hearing on mandates after receiving many requests for bills from special-interest groups."
STAY TUNED!!!!!
Dedicated to promoting Autism Insurance in Michigan through networking and legislative reform.
AIM BIO:
AIM is comprised of over 3000 residents of Michigan who have pledged their support in passing the autism insurance legislation in Michigan. The sole aim of AIM is to pass autism insurance legislation in Michigan with the help of those 3000+ members.
AIM Position Statement
It is our position that
1) legislation should be passed in the state of Michigan that will require insurance companies to cover diagnosis, treatment, and services for all people wiht Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
2) all people with ASD should be covered, regardless of age.
3) Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as any of the pervasive developmental disorders as defined by the most recent edition of the DSM.
4) this coverage should include treatments as prescribed or ordered by the insured's treating physician or psychologist and that no insurer may deny coverage for an individual based solely on the fact that the individual is diagnosed with an ASD.
5) covered treatments shall not be subject to visit limits.
6) there should be a provision for an expedited arbitration process if an insurance company denies coverage or changes coverage status.
7) coverage should not be construed as limiting access to benefits or other services that are otherwise available to an individual.
2) all people with ASD should be covered, regardless of age.
3) Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as any of the pervasive developmental disorders as defined by the most recent edition of the DSM.
4) this coverage should include treatments as prescribed or ordered by the insured's treating physician or psychologist and that no insurer may deny coverage for an individual based solely on the fact that the individual is diagnosed with an ASD.
5) covered treatments shall not be subject to visit limits.
6) there should be a provision for an expedited arbitration process if an insurance company denies coverage or changes coverage status.
7) coverage should not be construed as limiting access to benefits or other services that are otherwise available to an individual.
List of Supporting Organizations as of 4/23/10
ACT Network |
Ann Arbor Families for Autistic Children's Education and Support |
Autism Advisory Group
|
Autism Insurance in Michigan (AIM) |
Autism Resource Network |
Autism Society of America |
Autism Society of America - Oakland County Chapter |
Autism Society of Washtenaw County |
Autism Society of WestShore |
Autism SpeaksAutism Alliance of Michigan |
Beaumont Hospitals |
Behavior Analysts Association of Michigan
|
Detroit Medical Center
|
Early InterventionCenter |
Easter Seals |
Elder Disability Rights Association Section of the State Bar of Michigan |
Family Chiropractic Clinic |
First Capital Directories |
Forestview Lanes |
Fravel Financial Services |
GFWC Madison Heights Intermediate Womens Club |
Glenn Buege Chevrolet |
Henry Ford Health System |
HOPE Network
|
Kaufman Children's Center for Speech, Language, Sensory-Motor & Social Connections, Inc. |
Michael James Associates |
Michigan Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals |
Michigan Association of IntermediateSchool Administrators |
Michigan Association of School Administrators |
Michigan Association of School Boards |
Michigan Association of School Psychologists |
Michigan Association of School Social Workers |
Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health |
Michigan Nurses Association |
Michigan Pharmacists Association |
Michigan PTA |
Michigan Secondary School Principals Association |
Michigan Speech Language Hearing Association |
Middle Cities Education Association |
Monroe IntermediateSchool District |
National Alliance on Mental Illness - Michigan Chapter (member of Partners for Parity) |
National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Detroit Section
|
The Abilities Center |
The Ann Arbor Center for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
|
Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District
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