They need to hear from us!
IMMEDIATE ACTION ALERT: EMAIL OR SEND A LETTER TO SENATOR SANBORN'S COMMITTEE MEMBERS TODAY!
Senator Sanborn has agreed to do a whip count of his committee where the autism insurance legislation bills currently are and has indicated his willingness to consider holding a hearing if his committee is agreeable.
This is HUGE news! The Senate will be back in session for only two days next week, so we need your letters and emails to be at their office when they return on Wednesday.
Please do NOT CALL THEM! This time, we want the communication to be done through emails and letters. You don't need to be a constituent either. Please contact each and every one of the seven members.
The contact info for the committee members is listed below, as well as a sample letter. Please personalize the letter with your own comments and personal story, but also please keep the letter extremely respectful and positive without any accusatory or demanding overtones.
Thank you!
Contact Information
All mailing addresses for the Senators on the Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee are as follows:
Senator (Last Name)
Post Office Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Alan Sanborn (Chair)
SenASanborn@senate.michigan.gov
Randy Richardville (Vice Chair)
SenRRichardville@senate.michigan.gov
Jason Allen
SenJAllen@senate.michigan.gov
Judson Gilbert
SenJGilbert@senate.michigan.gov
Samuel Buzz Thomas (Co-introduced the Senate legislation)
SenBThomas@senate.michigan.gov
Tupac Hunter (Co-introduced the Senate legislation)
SenTAHunter@senate.michigan.gov
Gilda Jacobs
SenGJacobs@senate.michigan.gov
Sample Letter
Dec. 11, 2009
Dear Senator ___________,
I would like you to consider my request for a hearing on Senate Bills 359 and 360, which will provide insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
As a (parent/grandparent/teacher/therapist/etc.) of a child who has a diagnosis of autism, I have witnessed first-hand the devastating emotional and financial impact of this disorder on a family.
On behalf of the 14,000 children in the state of Michigan who are currently diagnosed with autism, and the many more to come in the years ahead based on the prevalence rate of 1 in 91 recently released by the CDC, I humbly request that a hearing be taken up on these bills so that the issues can be heard. A hearing will be able to show not only the immeasurable difference this legislation could make in the lives of Michigan families affected by autism, but also the enormous cost savings to society overall.
On behalf of the 14,000 Michigan children who need you to speak for them, I appreciate your consideration of a hearing on these very important bills.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(City, Michigan)
(Phone number)
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
|