Autism Votes News: 

MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Examines Autism and Military Families

 

Missouri Study Undercuts Insurance Industry Claims on Cost Impact of Autism Benefits

 

Congress Hears About Autism and Military Families

 

Autism Speaks Endorses Nebraska Autism Insurance Reform Bill
 

 Vermont Bills Would Expand Autism Insurance Benefits 

 

Virginia Senate Gives Final Legislative Approval to Bill Protecting ABA Coverage

 

Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Utah

 

Gov. Snyder to Legislature: Move Michigan Insurance Reform in 2012

 

White House to Name Peter Bell to Disabilities Panel

 

NPR: CARA One of Few Successes for 2011 Congress

Autism Speaks Hails Budget Vote Adding Over $230 million for Autism Research


 

Autism Speaks 'Optimistic' on HHS Essential Benefits Proposal

 

NCD: 'Prompt Action' Needed for Marine Corps Families 

 

Autism Speaks Endorses ABLE Bill Creating Tax-Free '529' Accounts

  

President Obama Signs CARA Into Law 



The federal health care reform law enacted in 2010 - the Affordable Care Act - could have profound impacts on insurance benefits for common autism therapies and treatments. The law is now being implemented through regulation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Learn more about the ACA and autism and what you can do to protect and extend autism benefits here.
New! Tell the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services how you think its proposed 'Essential Health Benefits' package will affect autism coverage. Learn more here.
New! U.S. Supreme Court schedules hearings on Affordable Care Act in March.

2012 State Autism Insurance Reform Initiative Map:

The map below shows the status of state autism insurance reform initiatives entering 2012. 

Click the map to learn more about autism insurance reform legislation in your state! Updated January 25, 2012


KEY:
Green =
Enacted law
Red = Autism Speaks-endorsed bill
Yellow = Working on bill in 2012
Blue = State not currently pursuing legislation

 

 

 

  6th Annual Autism Law Summit

About 100 parents, professionals, lawyers, lobbyists, and legislators interested in autism insurance reform met in Salt Lake City on October 21-22, 2011 to discuss how  to secure  meaningful health care coverage for individuals with autism. The event was hosted at the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney School of Law and was co-sponsored by the Utah Autism Coalition.


 

 


Autism Speaks Official Blog

August 10, 2011 Post from Autism Votes:

Hope, Plane Rides and Research
by Richard Fauth

It didn’t come from me. I have to admit I could never pull it off like he does. It must be because he’s half-French (his mother’s half.) Last Sunday, we had a cook-out with a family of friends at Fort Wilderness in Disney World. My 8-year-old son Lucas was at it again. Smooth. It didn’t take him long to catch the eye of a college-age girl. He took her shoes off. Before long he was riding around the campground in a golf cart with the other kids. She was driving; he was riding shot-gun. That’s my boy. The cutest little boy on the planet. Read more....

Autism Votes - 100,000 Advocates Strong
by Shelley Hendricks, Director, State Based Advocacy

It was four summers ago that Autism Speaks recruited me to help build a network of autism advocates across the United States, an assignment that recalled my earlier days growing up in the South where summertime activities always included gardening. My parents planted their garden in the spring while my grandmother had a large garden year round at her home in Alabama. Read more...


'James' Law' Signed in Illinois
by Nancy O'Brien 

Illinois HB 1610 was signed into law on Wednesday, July 6 by Governor Pat Quinn. Named James’ Law, the law amends the Emergency Telephone Systems Act to allow for bracelets which can be remotely activated upon alert from a missing person’s registered caregiver. The bill was a labor of love, sponsored by Illinois State Representative Karen May, with significant contributions from Elmhurst Mayor Pete DiCianni and Illinois State Representative Patti Bellock. Read more...

  
Halfway There: A Personal Reflection on Autism Insurance Reform
by Lorri Unumb

Today, as I sit at my kitchen table reading news accounts of the 25th state autism insurance bill being signed into law by the governor of West Virginia, I get emotional. Six years ago this summer, I sat down at this same kitchen table to write my own bill. The mother of a then-4-year-old son with autism, I was frustrated that health insurance wouldn’t pay for the treatments my son’s doctor recommended.  Read More...



West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signs HB 2693 into law


 
Archive of Autism Votes Blog Posts 

 

 


  

AV Videos:

Latest Video: Virginia Autism Reform Tribute from Virginia parent and Autism Speaks volunteer, Robert Stephens (February 10, 2011)

From Autism Speaks: Why do I Walk for Autism Speaks? Because Autism Speaks helped pass the autism insurance reform law in Florida (December 2010)

From Autism Speaks: Michigan Lt. Governor-Elect Brian Calley Speaks out in Support of Autism Insurance Reform (November 29. 2010)  


Past News Features:

Senators Dodd and Menendez Introduce the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act (CARA- S.4044) (December 20, 2010)

Autism Policy Issues: An Interview With Lorri Unumb, Autism Speaks Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel, with Stan Goldberg of Senior Dad: Autism Briefing Room (April 29, 2010)

Treating Autism Early Will Save Us Special Ed Funds Later - An Op-Ed by Alaska State Representative Pete Peterson (April 9, 2010 - Anchorage Daily News)

The Council for Affordable Health Insurance Puts Cost of Autism Insurance Coverage at About 1 Percent (March 19, 2009)

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NEW YORK HAS AUTISM INSURANCE REFORM, THANK GOVERNOR CUOMO!CALIFORNIA: THANK GOV. BROWN FOR SIGNING SB.946!THANK PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR SIGNING CARA! Join Autism Votes Mobile: Text "AVotes" to 30644 to get action alerts right on your mobile phone!

 

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