Thursday, April 8, 2010

Autism Awareness Day at the Capitol- April 27th


In honor of April being Autism Awareness Month, and to show appreciation for the legislators who have been advocating for autism insurance reform, AIM will be coordinating an Autism Awareness Day at the Capitol building in Lansing on Tuesday, April 27th, from 12-1:00pm. We are reserving the Rotunda in the Capitol for this hour, and will present awards of recognition to our various legislative champions. Governor Granholm has officially decreed April as Autism Awareness Month in the State of Michigan! We are hoping she will be able to join us. We are also inviting some families to come and speak as part of the education campaign we are undertaking to help promote awareness of the issues affecting the families in Michigan affected by autism. The press has been invited as well, and there will be targeted media stories put out around the state on this day.
Unfortunately, space is limited in the Capitol building and seats will be at a minimum. If you would like to be present for this event, we ask that you please RSVP to Lisa Espinoza at lisa.marie.espinoza@gmail.com by April 20th and then check in when you arrive at the Capitol building. RSVPs may be cut off sooner than April 20th depending on the number of responses we receive.
The week leading up to this event, we will also be having an autism awareness exhibit in the lower level of the Capitol building. This will provide an opportunity for legislators to learn more about the facts of autism and how autism is affecting their constituents in Michigan.
Thanks for your continued support and advocacy!
Posted by at

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.

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 Alliance of Michigan
Autism ASK

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
DTE Energy Company

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
Image One Corporation

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
Rehmann CPAs Troy, MI

The Abilities Center

The Ann Arbor Center for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
The Children's Center of Wayne County

Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District
Wayne County

If your organization is not on this list and you would like to show your support, please email your organization name and your contact information for verification to traveltrio@verizon.net Thank you!



Jim Bouder's Testimony 6/9/09

Espinozas' Testimony 6/9/09