IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

Dear Autism Advocate, Next week, the Michigan Senate will be convening to conduct a short lame-duck session. This will be the final opportunity to pass autism insurance reform in Michigan this legislative session. Now, more than ever, we need anyone and everyone to take action.  HELP US FLOOD THE PHONE LINES OF THE MICHIGAN SENATE THIS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29! Only a few issues will be taken up during the lame duck session. We need to make sure that autism insurance reform is one of them. On Monday, November 29th, we are asking everyone from Michigan, whether they are personally affected by autism or not, to be part of a statewide grassroots push. HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP! 1. Call the list of Senators who are currently uncommitted Monday morning! Politely ask them to pass autism insurance reform legislation during the lame duck session. Even if you've spoken with them before, it is imperative that you speak with them every day during the lame duck session, asking for their commitment and action!      Patricia Birkholz           517-373-3447   Mike Bishop                517-373-2417   Cameron Brown          517-373-5932   Nancy Cassis              517-373-1758   Tom George               517-373-0793   Jud Gilbert                 517-373-7708   Bill Hardiman              517-373-1801   Mark Jansen               517-373-0797  Ron Jelinek                 517-373-6960  Roger Kahn                517-373-1760  Wayne Kuipers            517-373-6920  Tony Stamas               517-373-7946  Liz Brater                    517-373-2406  Irma Clark-Coleman     517-373-0990   Michael Prusi               517-373-7840  2.   Call Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and ask him to allow autism insurance reform legislation to be voted on by the Michigan senate THIS SESSION:                       Senator Mike Bishop     (517) 373-2417 3. If possible, come to Lansing on TUESDAY and advocate in person. We need a polite, persistent presence at the State Capitol. Stakeholders are meeting Tuesday morning in the capitol rotunda at 8:30 am sharp. If you are coming from a distance and would like to spend the night in Lansing, contact Ann at traveltrio@verizon.net for travel/hotel information. If you are able to come, we would love to know ahead of time so we can make sure to have a good representation in key districts. Please take a moment to fill out this form: Count on Me! AIM t-shirts will be available in Lansing.  4. Media Events: Please help spread the word! Newspaper- Let us know about any letters to the editor that makes it to your local paper(s)! We are hoping that this weekend's papers are filled with letters across the state. Thank you to everyone who submitted letters. We like to post all stories on the AIM Facebook page.  Radio- Tune into the following shows over the next few days: Saturday, 11/26 at 2:30pm on WJR, 950am: Steve Bockmann, of My Great Kid will be interviewed on the "Marie Osborn show" Sunday, 11/27 at 9:00am on WDTW,1310am: House Majority Leader and autism reform champion, Kathy Angerer, will be interviewed on the "My Great Kid" radio show. Monday, 11/28 at 10:30am on WJR, 760am: Lt. Gov.-Elect Brian Calley and Steve Bockmann will be interviewed on "The Frank Beckmann Show". YouTube- Please watch and spread this compelling video of Lt. Governor-Elect Brian Calley's personal story of autism and why he supported the insurance legislation even before his daughter was diagnosed 5. Continue to leave voicemail messages all weekend, too! The most important day is Monday, when our calls will be answered by "live" people, but leaving messages and filling up their voicemail boxes over the weekend will create quite an impact as well. 6. Forward this e-mail far and wide. The more Michigan voters we have advocating for the passage of this bill, the greater our odds of success become. Please spread the word!       Please visit Autism Insurance in Michigan, Autism Votes, My 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,     The AIM committee members http://autisminsurancemi.blogspot.com/