Thursday, September 30, 2010

Now is the Time!

Do you know where your candidates stand?
AIM recently sent out a survey to each candidate running for Governor, Senate or House of Representatives this fall. The survey asked 5 specific questions regarding their stance on autism insurance reform legislation. Many candidates responded to the survey and we have tabulated their results here. If there is no response listed, it is because they did not return the survey. If you want to know where your candidates stand, and you have the opportunity to ask, please use the survey questions and ask them! Please take a moment and look up the candidates who are running for election in your district and consider their answers in your voting decision. In order to find your candidates, you will need to know your District number. You can easily find this out by entering your zip code into this website. If you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to call Ann at 734-854-3216.

The next two months are crucial!
Did you know that out of the 38 current Senate seats in Michigan, at a maximum, only 8 Senators are going to be returning to office? The other 30 seats will be filled with brand new Senators. With the autism insurance bills currently pending in the Senate, NOW IS THE TIME to get these bills passed, before it carries over to next session, and we begin the process over from square one. We have been educating the current legislators for years. We don’t have time to waste, and neither do our children. NOW IS THE TIME TO PASS THIS LEGISLATION! Please be watching in the upcoming weeks any action that is needed.

Other News
Senator Richardville will be holding his final Senate Workgroup session in Lansing this Tuesday, Oct. 5th at 1:00 pm in the Farnum Building committee room.

NOW IS THE TIME!
Our children have waited long enough without access to treatment that can change their lives. How many more years, and how many more children, need to go without; before legislation is enacted that will give these families hope? Our children are worth fighting for. We cannot let this session end without a vote on the legislation that has been pending for years. NOW IS THE TIME!

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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