Thursday, May 20, 2010

Autism Workgroup Session this Monday, May 24th!


We need you!
Please join us Monday, May 24th, from 2:30 - 4:30pm at the Autism Collaborative Center in Ypsilanti for the first in series of bi-partisan legislative task force meetings on autism insurance reform. The Center is located on the campus of Eastern Michigan University, 1055 Cornell Road, Fletcher School Building, Ypsilanti 48197 (click on the link for a map).
It is important that we show our legislators how vitally important this issue is to Michigan families! So, please show your support and attend the session on Monday!

As a show of our solidarity, please wear your AIM t-shirts. For those who do not already have an AIM shirt, they will be available for only $5 as you enter the Center.

There is an impressive list of speakers who will be testifying about the need for autism insurance reform. That list includes Lorri Unumb, Senior Policy Advisor for Autism Speaks; Catherine Lord, Ph.D., Director of the University of Michigan Autism & Communication Disorders Centers; Pamela Lemerand, Ph.D, Project Director for EMU's Autism Collaborative Center; Eileen Weiser, former State Board of Education member and Civic Leader, and Brooke Ingersoll, Ph. D, Michigan State University Autism Laboratory.


The second in the series of task force meetings has been set for Friday, June 4, from 12:00 - 2:00pm at the Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Medical Center. More information and details will follow as soon they are finalized.


We hope we will see you on Monday, May 24, for the first in this critical series of task force meetings. Please remember to wear your AIM t-shirts to show that we are speaking with unified voices! Thanks for your continuing advocacy and support on this extremely important issue!!


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