In the States
Illinois House and Senate Pass SB 934... Now On to the Governor!
(November 20, 2008) Today the Illinois Senate followed in the steps of the Illinois House and passed Senate Bill 934. This bill contains an amendment that requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage of autism treatments and therapies.
Now the bill will go to Governor Rod Blagojevich for signature into law. Read More...
The Virginia MBC Has Voted!
(November 19, 2008 - Richmond, VA) Today at 1pm the Virginia Mandated Benefits Commission voted 6-4 to recommend House Bill 1588, the autism insurance reform bill to the Commerce and Labor Committee! Stay tuned to Autism Votes for more updated information! Read More...
Virginia Mandated Benefits Commission to Hold Vote on HB 1588 - Wednesday, November 19, 1pm!
The Virginia mandated Benefits Commission will vote on it's recommendation to the General Assembly on House Bill 1588, the autism insurance reform bill. The meeting will take place in the General Assembly Building (House Room D)in Richmond, VA at 1pm.
We are asking all those interested in attending to meet at 12:30pm by the clock outside the building and to wear red and bring a picture of your child (or a child you know) to hold up during the meeting.
The Washington Times Features Commentary on Autism Insurance Reform By Autism Speaks' Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel, Stuart Spielman, and Brookings Institution Senior Fellow, Michael O'Hanlon
O'HANLON and SPIELMAN: Autism agenda beckons
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
In their last debate, Barack Obama and John McCain both graciously expressed concern about children with autism.
Mr. Obama in particular then spoke about the need for more research funding to understand the causes of this prevalent handicap. We concur. But that is hardly the extent of what the candidates need to understand about the state of autism in the United States today. Preventing future cases is crucial, but so is addressing the huge unmet needs of the more than 1 million Americans already afflicted. Read More...
CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports on the Virginia Autism Insurance Bill
(October 22, 2008) This morning, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta reported on the Virginia autism insurance reform bill. The report focused the Nunez family and their son Ethan who has autism. The family is dealing with paying the high costs for Ethan's therapies, such as ABA therapy, out-of-pocket and is looking to the newly introduced autism insurance bill in the Virginia legislature for help.
The story covered the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits hearing that was held a few weeks ago in Richmond which looked at this bill. Mrs. Nunez testified at this hearing about her son's autism and the financial hardships that have been placed on the family.
The Associated Press Covers Autism Insurance Initiative
(October 20, 2008) In an article entitled Parents Press for Autism Insurance Laws, the Associated press provides a good look at the push for autism insurance reform in the states. The article focuses on the family of Arzu Forough from Washington State and their fight to get insurance coverage for therapies for their 12-year-old son with autism. Arzu is Autism Speaks' Chapter Advocacy Chair for Washington State.
The article also quotes Elizabeth Emken, Autism Speaks' Vice President of Government Relations. Emken says in the article that this issue is "'the No.1 thing we hear from parents'". She goes on to say "'What's more difficutl than knowing there's an effective treatment for your child, but you can't afford to offer it to them because it's not coverage by insurance?'"
Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in Virginia
(Richmond, VA - October 2, 2008) Legislation has been prefiled for introduction in Virginia to require insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders. House Bill 1588 has been introduced by Delegate Robert Marshall (R-13th District) and Delegate David Poisson (D-32nd District) of the House of Delegates. The bill will require Virginia healthcare policies to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other medically necessary, evidence-based treatments prescribed by an insured's treating physician or psychologist with annual coverage for up to $36,000 a year. Read More...
Parents, Advocates, and Legislators Fill Hearing Room in support of Virginia Autism Insurance Reform Bill
 (Richmond, VA – September 30, 2008) Yesterday, Autism Speaks joined with parents in Richmond, Virginia for a hearing before the Special Advisory Commission on Mandated Health Insurance Benefits on the autism insurance reform bill. Members of the autism community from all corners of the Commonwealth filled the hearing room wearing red shirts to show their solidarity in support for this bill. Read More...
(Pictured above: Stuart Spielman, Senior Policy Director and Counsel for Autism Speaks testifies at the Special Commission hearing)
Florida Governor Charlie Crist Appoints Elizabeth Emken, Autism Speaks Vice President of Government Relations, to the Developmental Disabilities Compact Workgroup
(Tallahassee, FL - August 15, 2008) Today, Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced the appointment of Elizabeth Emken, Autism Speaks Vice President of Government Relations, to the Developmental Disabilities Compact Workgroup. This workgroup was established by Senate Bill 2654, signed into law in May. Read More...
Watch Should Insurance Cover Autism?
(June 12, 2008) This morning, the TODAY Show on NBC broadcast a report focused on the issue of autism insurance coverage legislation. The segment features Autism Speaks Vice President of Government Relations, Elizabeth Emken, and provides useful information about our current multistate insurance initiative.
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On the Hill
President-Elect Barack Obama on Autism: "A new dawn of American leadership is at hand"
 (November 5, 2008) President-Elect Barack Obama's win last night may prove to be a win for the autism community as well. In his campaign statement on Autism Spectrum Disorders, Obama has committed to bringing autism insurance reform to our entire nation.
His statement reads, Obama and Biden "will mandate insurance coverage of autism treatment and will also continue to work with parents, physicians, providers, researchers, and schools to create opportunities and effective solutions for people with ASD."
House and Senate Pass FY 09 Defense Appropriations Bill Containing $8 Million in Funding for Autism Research
(Washington, D.C. - September 27, 2008) Today, the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Appropriations bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of 78-12. This bill has already been passed by the full House by a vote of 370-58.
As passed, the bill includes $8 million for the Department of Defense Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Program (the DoDASDRP). In last year’s FY 2008 Defense Appropriations bill, Congress included $6.4 million for this program to further the field of autism research and help improve treatments and interventions for children with autism.
The bill will now go to the President for signature. Read More...
Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12) Introduces House Version of Helping HANDS for Autism Act
(Washington, DC - June 16, 2008) Yesterday, Congresswoman Kay Granger of the Texas 12th District introduced the House companion bill to Senator Robert Menendez's Helping HANDS for Autism Act. Like the Senate version of the bill, Rep. Granger's H.R. 6282 is a three-part legislative package designed not only to support families with autism spectrum disorders, but also to increase public awareness and provide adult services for individuals with autism.
Rep. Granger was joined by Rep. Jim McGovern (MA), Rep. Chris Smith (NJ), Rep. Mike Doyle (PA), Rep. Dan Burton (IN), and Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (TX) in her introduction of the bill. Read More...
Washington Post Reports on the Disability Savings Act of 2008
(June 13, 2008) The Washington Post published an article today entitled Equity for the Disabled on the Disability Savings Act of 2008.
AUTISM SPEAKS APPLAUDS SEN. MENENDEZ'S NEW PLAN TO SUPPORT FAMILIES DEALING WITH AUTISM
 (April 28, 2008) U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) unveiled new legislation today to support families dealing with autism spectrum disorders. Senator Menendez was joined by the groups Autism Speaks and the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC), as well as local parents of autistic children, in announcing the plan, which comes as Autism Awareness Month draws to a close.
The Helping HANDS for Autism Act is a three-part legislative package that includes a program to guide families seeking services and care, increased public awareness and housing for adults with ASD. At 1 in 94 children diagnosed with ASD, New Jersey has the highest rate in the nation. Read More...
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) Introduces The Disability Savings Act of 2008
 (Washington, DC - March 11, 2008) Autism Speaks co-founders, Bob and Suzanne Wright, and participants in the organization's Hill Day 2008 joined Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) for the introduction of the Disability Savings Act (DSA) of 2008. The DSA is designed to encourage individuals with autism (and other disabilities) and their families to save for disability-related expenses. It is meant to supplement, rather than replace benefits provided by other sources (including Medicaid and private insurance). Read More...
Above: Senator Dodd Introduces the DSA of 2008
Dodd/ Collins Amendment Passes
(Washington, DC - March 14, 2008) Autism Speaks sends heartfelt thanks to our many supporters in the Senate for their steadfast support of autism research funding. Senator Chris Dodd and Senator Susan Collins offered an amendment to the FY2009 Budget Resolution to increase funding for autism research, education and early detection by $197 million. Read More...
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