ACTION NEEDED!
On May 14, Senator Tom George (R-20) held a hearing on the bills, along with other insurance bills, in the Senate Health Policy Committee. In order for the bills to continue moving forward and to have a vote to get them out of committee, we need to encourage the Senators on that committee to give us our own hearing and a vote. We need them to go on record in favor of SB 784 & 785.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP RIGHT NOW?
STARTING ON TUESDAY MAY 27, 2008 AT 9:00AM through TUESDAY, MAY 27 at 5:30PM! The Senators are in only one day this week, let's make sure they hear from us before they leave!!
1. CALL the members of the Senate Health Policy Committee and ask for their support for SB 784 & 785. Let them know how much we need their help and what this would mean to your child and your family. Definitely MAKE THE CALL! (Template to the left)
Name District Phone
Sen. Tom George (Committee Chair) 20th (517) 373-0793
Sen. Bruce Patterson (Majority Vice-Chair) 7th (517) 373-7350
Sen. Alan Sanborn 11th (517) 373-7670
Sen. Jason Allen 37th (517) 373-2413
Sen. Hansen Clarke (Minority Vice-Chair) 1st (517) 373-7346
Sen. John Gleason 27th (517) 373-0142
Sen. Gilda Jacobs 14th (517) 373-7888
2. FOLLOW UP WITH AN EMAIL to the members of the Senate Health Policy Committee as well and be sure to include one or two paragraphs about why this is an important issue to you! (To the left of this post is a template you can use for both phone or email. Remember that it is best to use your own words, if possible. Personalization makes a big difference and gets more attention!)
Sen. George sentgeorge@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Patterson senbpatterson@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Sanborn senasanborn@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Allen senjallen@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Clarke senhclarke@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Gleason senjgleason@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Jacobs sengjacobs@senate.michigan.gov
3. PASS THIS ALERT ALONG! Forward this ALERT out to anyone you know who will help who lives in Michigan. We need to demonstrate the strength of the autism community in our state. Please forward to teachers, therapists, family members and neighbors to ask for their support on this important piece of legislation. We need everyone's help!
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
|