Saturday, April 17, 2010

You're Invited to Autism Awareness Day the Capitol - April 27th!


Governor Granholm has declared April Autism Awareness month in Michigan! Awareness as at epidemic proportions and now it’s time to use that momentum to get Autism insurance legislation passed in Michigan! AIM is doing its part to raise awareness by providing educational displays at the Capitol and it will recognize and show appreciation for those legislators who have been advocating for autism insurance reform. Please join us for an AIM sponsored Autism Awareness Day at the Capitol building in Lansing on Tuesday, April 27th, from 12-1:00pm.

We have reserved the Rotunda in the Capitol for this hour, and will present awards of recognition to our various legislative champions. Key legislators, a representative from Governor Granholm’s office, Dr. John Wycoff of the Wycoff Wellness Center and Dr. Koenigsnecht, superintendent of the Montcalm ISD, will be speaking. We are also inviting a family and a child who was affected by autism 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 whose lives have been impacted by autism. We expect this event to be both informative and educational, and a good way to create awareness of autism issues in Michigan. We also expect there to be announcements relative to further action on the autism insurance reform initiative for Michigan. We are inviting the press to be there as well to help publicize this important issue.

Please plan to attend and help us show our heartfelt appreciation for our legislative supporters. A healthy turn out by families affected by autism and those who support them is a crucial sign to our legislators that the effort to assure autism insurance legislation in Michigan is still as important and necessary as ever. Please come to this event! We ask that you please RSVP to Lisa Espinoza at lisa.marie.espinoza@gmail.com by April 23rd.

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.

Thank you for your continued support and advocacy!
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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