tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74585663501931194942024-11-01T03:37:54.300-07:00NEW FOCUS is to track the events and actions related to 111th Congress bills S.819 & H.R. 2413, the Autism Treatment Acceleration Acts....Purpose of this blog originally was to track the events and developments related to the not passed Oregon House Bill 3000 (HB 3000), Requires health insurers and state medical assistance program to reimburse for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. 75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular SessionRegina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-50383820948538332732009-11-03T11:01:00.000-08:002009-11-03T11:16:26.183-08:00

Ruling deals a blow to denials of autism treatment--------------------Refusing to cover a costly behavioral therapy because the care provider lacks a state license violates California law, a Los Angeles County judge finds.By Lisa GirionLos Angeles TimesOctober 27 2009"A tactic used by insurance companies to deny expensive behavioral therapy to autistic children has been deemed illegal by a Los

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-3335409253004995982009-09-23T15:43:00.000-07:002009-09-23T15:46:52.232-07:00

Meeting Announcement Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder[N.B.-list of members and additional background info below *]Meeting Time: Monday, September 28, 2009 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Public Comment is welcome but may be limited due to time constraints. Meeting Place: Oregon State Capitol Hearing Room C 900 Court Street NE Salem, Oregon 97301[Note: this is the link for video and

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-66097457916697024312009-07-21T10:19:00.000-07:002009-07-21T10:31:02.194-07:00

Important heads-up from Autism Votes!An urgent action item is coming!Dear Autism Advocate,HEALTH CARE REFORM UPDATE: Things are moving VERY quickly in the House now with health care reform and we need you to be ready to act at a moment's notice and give it everything you've got!Last night, The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed an autism amendment offered by Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA),

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-91023248832805716412009-07-17T13:30:00.000-07:002009-07-21T10:33:05.108-07:00

Autism Speaks - Rep. Mike Doyle's [PA] Opening Remarks (July 16, 2009) 2:19http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt3vxn_n1g8Washington, DC (July 16, 2009) -- In his opening remarks during the House Energy and Commerce Committee markup of HR 3200, the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-14), chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus, pledged that any bill that does

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-81797816594490336232009-07-16T11:02:00.000-07:002009-07-16T11:39:18.373-07:00

"...Autism Speaks is constantly adapting a strategy to give us the best chance of making this [autism insurance reform in health care reform] happen. The strategy may change every hour or it may appear redundant but there is a "method to the madness". The important thing is that as the troops, we stay alert and be ready to act when we get our mission plans..."This is crunch time and if ever there

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-2773170776890061232009-07-15T13:15:00.000-07:002009-07-15T13:46:06.265-07:00

URGENT ACTION REQUEST - CALL U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER PELOSI'S OFFICE to let her know that health care reform MUST include autism insurance reform!andPASS THIS MESSAGE FORWARD.THANK YOU!From Autismvotes------------ --------- --------- -------"The health reform ship has sailed and autism insurance reform iscurrently NOT ON IT.U.S. H.R. 3200 is currently IN MARK UP and our hope of achieving autism

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-63385403669000367042009-07-13T14:48:00.000-07:002009-07-13T14:54:53.935-07:00

U.S. insurance inequity and reform in the international press,"...Guaranteed insurance would make a significant difference to people like Valerie Goodness, a firefighter in Corvallis, Oregon, who was forced to leave her job because of her 13-year-old son's autism. When her employer changed insurance companies, the new one refused to cover his "pre-existing condition" -- a common dodge regarded as

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-29861238091513172992009-07-08T12:33:00.000-07:002009-07-08T17:20:14.396-07:00

Today, Autism Speaks has launched its first national television advocacy campaign, "Neighbors", aimed at reaching millions of informed and politically active Americans and asking them to call Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and tell them that ending autism insurance discrimination must be part of Health Care Reform Legislation.Autismvotes is

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-23418275824526046972009-07-08T11:05:00.000-07:002009-07-08T12:21:14.348-07:00

Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, has launched a new national television advertising campaign highlighting private insurers blatant discrimination against children with autism and calling on the U.S. Congress to put an end to it as part of the broader health care reform effort. The thirty-second ad, Neighbors, will air nationally on CNN, CNBC, and MSNBC

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-16041339409793670672009-07-02T16:00:00.000-07:002009-07-02T16:00:25.644-07:00

A visual aid to show what impact the passage of S. 819 and/or H.R 2413The Autism Treatment Acceleration Actsin this 111th Congress would have:A. States with passed legislation or statute that specify autism insurance reform,current as of July 1, 2009.15 STATESArizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana,Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey [pending signature], New Mexico,

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-50965406809463316562009-07-01T14:13:00.000-07:002009-07-01T15:37:21.738-07:00

The news is from California, but the questions, and the tactics being used, are ubiquitous, so this is a lawsuit worth paying attention to.Will Schwarzenegger and Obama Require Insurers to Pay for Autism Care?Jamie CourtHuffington Post, July 1, 2009Parents of autistic children gathered this morning at Consumer Watchdog's Los Angeles headquarters to announce a lawsuit against Governor

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-34729702364963437192009-06-28T00:00:00.000-07:002009-06-28T00:00:00.482-07:00

Autism Insurance Legislation has been heating up all over the mapMichigan's insurance bills just passed their State House and now proceed to the Senate side.New Jersey is a signature away from becoming the 14th state to mandate behavioral treatment of autismWisconsin has just passed its budget bill also mandating behavioral therapy for autism--the details are to be worked out in regulation.

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-70626490505057620482009-06-27T00:00:00.000-07:002009-06-27T00:00:35.309-07:00

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (IL), sponsor of the legislation in the U.S. Senate and supporters of the ATAA,S. 819: A bill to provide for enhanced treatment, support, services, and research for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. House version: H.R.2413.comment on what is hoped to be gained by families and children throughout the United States by passage of the Autism

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-12982731671429032452009-06-23T11:17:00.000-07:002009-06-23T18:43:30.985-07:00

This week, Autism Speaks is launching a major ad campaign supporting federal autism insurance reform with the goal to be the LOUDEST VOICE ON CAPITOL HILL and move these bills forward.YOUR PARTICIPATION IS VITAL.All of our voices are needed to make sure this adhits home for Oregon's Congressional Delegation!In a state with one of the highest prevalence rates in the nation, it is imperative that

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-82391762901999985722009-06-23T03:03:00.000-07:002009-06-23T03:09:14.229-07:00

A Law.com article going into more and different detail than many of the currently circulating stories on the recent settlement by BC/BS in Johns v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Well worth reading.Michigan Class Action Settlement on Autism Treatment Hailed as Landmark CaseTresa BaldasThe National Law JournalJune 23, 2009---------------Previous blog postFriday, June 19, 2009Sidebar: Blue

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-48755984895614532982009-06-20T08:00:00.000-07:002009-06-20T08:00:18.622-07:00

This was from the testimony for the Michigan autism bill--Sam Summers, Michigan 4th grader diagnosed with autism at 2, given intensive behavioral intervention...well, let Sam speak for himself.Sam Summers Testimony for Autism Insurance

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-12747540842232439932009-06-19T13:52:00.000-07:002009-06-19T13:54:37.417-07:00

Release issued by Mantese and Rossman, P.C., on June 19, 2009Detroit, Michigan. The family of an autistic child filed a motion in federal court today to confirm settlement of a class action against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The family alleged in the suit that the insurer wrongfully refused to cover behavioral therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), on the baseless

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-2221668644670271812009-06-17T14:30:00.000-07:002009-06-18T03:31:56.427-07:00

The below request has been sent out by Autism Votes, and never was a truer word said than,"Health insurance reform is the buzz word in Washington, DC right now. We need to generate thousands of calls to be sure that our children's needs for access to the treatments and therapies that will help them are being heard!"We have an opportunity, but we must keep OUR voices and concerns on the front

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-91679300702550110302009-06-12T14:27:00.000-07:002009-06-12T16:46:50.957-07:00

First of all, I want to thank every last parent, family and supporter who threw their all into working on behalf of the passage of HB 3000, Oregon's Autism Insurance Reform Bill, by their articles, letters, testimony, talking to legislators and phone calls. Most bills do not make it as far as HB3000 did, and we gave it a good run and raised awareness of our kids and our issues!Monday, June 8 was

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-80494208426421026972009-06-11T07:00:00.000-07:002009-06-11T07:00:02.744-07:00

An interesting and informative video from UC MIND, which has some specificity to California in reference to particular advocacy groups and structural differences in that state. That said, the issues discussed are not particular to any one state and there are some good ideas on what makes for successful grassroots advocacy. The message on advocacy "how-tos" picks up after 40 minutes.Legislative

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-66665738089578741732009-06-08T20:34:00.000-07:002009-06-08T23:55:01.003-07:00

A couple of hours ago, a news alert from the Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA) came across my desk and definitely got my attention. Why is Virginia of so much interest? During the Oregon House Health Care Committee public hearing on HB 3000, this point was brought up by a consultant to one of the insurance companies,"...but we will point out that in places like VA, where one of our leading

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-86592652132582400502009-06-08T16:11:00.000-07:002009-06-08T16:13:59.837-07:00

"On June 3, 2009 S. 1169 was introduced by Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand (NY), as the Senate-side companion resolution to the previously introduced H.R. 1600. Both bills would "amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the treatment of autism under TRICARE..."Full article:Monday, June 8, 2009 Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG BlogNEWS: Federal S. 1169 joins H.R. 1600 to

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-49590180593710345232009-06-07T20:47:00.000-07:002009-06-08T13:19:03.651-07:00

Friday, June 19th, 2009, from 9:00a – 12:00p at The Jean Baton Swindells Resource Center for Children and Families 830 NE 47th Avenue, Portland, 97213 Downloadable flyer CLEARING THE AIR ABOUT ABA… And having fun as we do it!Presenters: Sarah L. Schaefer, LPC, BCBA, www.advbehavioralconcepts.com Mark Vogl, BS, Program Coordinator, CCI Enterprises plus a special parent testimonial Parents,

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-37423740252749747052009-06-01T13:24:00.000-07:002009-06-07T20:51:51.071-07:00

[Also see previous post on U.S. Resolutions, S. 819 & H.R. 2413. ]The Autism Treatment Acceleration Act and the Autism SandboxShelley Hendrix ReynoldsPosted: May 31, 2009 06:40 PMHuffington PostPlease read the full article, but I want to highlight some cogent clauses made by Ms. Reynolds,"...Despite dutifully paying premiums to insure against the unthinkable that their child could be

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7458566350193119494.post-33498612700397863952009-05-31T19:13:00.000-07:002009-05-31T19:30:45.186-07:00

F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S ETexas Legislature Passes Expansion Of Insurance Coverage for Texas Children with AutismEffective Date: May 31, 2009Contact: Mike Bernoski, Executive Director512-402-5842 Phone;media@texasautismadvocacy.orgAustin, Texas – The Texas legislature showed their support today for families by passing a measure to expand the age of mandatory insurance coverage

Regina Claypool-Freyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04008069716155233108noreply@blogger.com0