Sunday, April 25, 2010

Bipartisan legislative task force to take public comment on autism insurance

Bipartisan legislative task force
to take public comment on autism insurance
Sen. Richardville announces four hearings this spring
during Michigan Autism Awareness Day at the Capitol

Join us Tuesday, April 27th, from 12-1pm at the Capitol Rotunda in Lansing. Please show your support! We need our legislators to know that this is an important issue for Michigan families! This is an indoor event, so weather won’t be a factor. If you plan on attending, please email your RSVP to Lisa.Marie.Espinoza@gmail.com. If you are a representative of any autism agency or any supporting organization, please also let Lisa know this when you RSVP, as we would like to mention your attendance to the press to show the coalition of support that this issue has across our state.

Autism Insurance in Michigan (AIM) will honor legislative leaders during a news conference where Sen. Richardville will announce a bipartisan task force that will hear public comment on autism insurance this spring. Some of the Michigan children, parents and physicians who deal with this neurobiological condition every day and are fighting for passage of legislation to reform Michigan insurance law will also speak briefly. The House and Senate will present resolutions acknowledging April as Autism Awareness Month in Michigan and a representative of Gov. Jennifer Granholm will present a proclamation acknowledging Autism Awareness Month.

Thank you for your continued support and advocacy, especially now when we need it most!
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