Tuesday, November 30, 2010

CRITICAL ACTION NEEDED THIS MORNING!!


Dear Autism Advocate,
We have an AUTISM EMERGENCY! Today is the turning point in the efforts to pass meaningful autism insurance reform legislation in Michigan, but we need your help!

The Michigan House of Representatives passed autism insurance reform legislation last year. Now the Michigan Senate must do the same, but they have only 3 days to get it done! Join Lt. Governor-Elect Calley in saying "We will no longer remain silent" by taking action TODAY! 

1. Call your Michigan state senator first thing this morning! (Even if you've called before, please take time to call again.) Let them know that you are a constituent and ask them for an up or down vote for autism insurance reform legislation this week.  You can find your Michigan Senator's name and number right HERE. If your Senator has already said they would vote YES on this insurance, please just confirm their stance, and thank them for their support. 

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If your senator is currently uncommitted or opposed:
Ask your (Republican) senator to please just let the bills come out of caucus this morning and get to a Floor vote in the Senate. Once up for a Floor vote, ask them (either party) to please vote YES for the insurance reform.

   
2.  Come to Lansing TODAY and stand with stakeholders from all around the state.  After years of work and passage through the Michigan House of Representatives, it is only right for this issue to to be debated and voted on by the Michigan Senate.  Stakeholders will be in the Capitol Rotunda starting at 8:30 sharp.  Help us personalize the issue for Michigan Senators by advocating face to face.   

3.  Forward this e-mail to everyone you know in Michigan and ask them to call their senator as well.  We need to jam their phone lines with calls from concerned constituents THIS MORNING, asking for an up or down vote.



We cannot emphasize enough how important it is that the Senate hear from you and many, many others from your district TODAY!
Please take time to call today and ask for their support. Stay tuned for updates by visiting our
Facebook page here or My Great Kid's autism page.
Thank you for standing up for Michigan families dealing with the challenges of ASD!




Please visit Autism Insurance in MichiganAutism VotesMy Great Kid or the AIM Facebook page for updates.   Patience is a virtue. Persistence gets the job done.
 Let's pull together next Monday and advocate for successful passage of autism insurance reform legislation for the families of Michigan this year!
With gratitude,


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