Autism Insurance Reform is Continuing to Gain Momentum in the Michigan Senate!
Currently, the Michigan Senate is in the mist of conducting a whip count which will determine whether autism insurance reform legislation will move forward. With just a few days left before the end of the year, your help is needed immediately to send a strong, clear message to the Senate: Autism is treatable. Insurance should cover treatment.
Call your state senator immediately! Call them tonight. Call them tomorrow. Call them over the weekend until their voice mail boxes are full. Be polite and persistent. Tell them that you are their constituent and that you are asking them to vote “YES” on HB 4183 and HB 4476, the autism insurance reform bills.
Autism Speaks Joins the Michigan Autism Community In Applauding State House Members for Passing Autism Insurance Legislation
Michigan House Passes HB 4476 and HB 4183
NEW YORK, NY (July 29, 2009) -- Autism Speaks today joined Michigan families and other autism advocacy organizations in applauding the members of the State House for their passage of House Bill 4476 and House Bill 4183, both of which require insurance companies to provide coverage of evidence-based, medically necessary autism therapies. The bill passed the Michigan House at the end of June and now heads to the State Senate Committee on Economic Development and Regulatory Reform for review... Read more
Watch Representative Kathy Angerer on WJBK Fox 2 News - February 27, 2009
House Bill 4476 - Sponsored by Representative Kathy Angerer
House Bill 4183 - Sponsored by Representative Richard Ball
Requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Rett's Syndrome)
HB 4476 applies only to plans issued by BlueCross BlueShield
HB 4183 applies to other insurance company plans
These bills wouldrequire insurance companies to cover up to $50,000 for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy
These bills include coverage of the following treatments for ASD:
Therapeutic evaluations and interventions
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Intensive early intervention
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy
Lovaas Behavioral Therapy
The bills apply only to fully-funded health plans governed by state
Both bills have been referred to the Committee on Health Policy
Bill History:
June 24, 2009: HB 4476 and HB 4183 are amended and passed the House. The bills now head to the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Regulatory Reform.
June 9, 2009: House Committee on Health Policy passes HB 4476 and HB 4183 in vote of 19-0. The bills now head to the House floor.
June 2, 2009: The House Committee on Health Policy holds a hearing on HB 4476 and HB 4183. No vote is held.
February 26, 2009: Autism insurance reform bills reintroduced in the Michigan House applying to BlueCross BlueShield insurance plans - Rep. Kathy Angerer introduces House Bill 4476. The bill is referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
February 5, 2009: Autism insurance reform bill reintroduced in the Michigan House applying to all insurance companies - Rep. Richard Ball introduces House Bill 4183. The bill is referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
April 2008: Autism insurance reform bills introduced in the Michigan House and Senate - neither bill was acted on during the 2007-2008 session
Pictures from the Autism Votes Booth at the Southeast Michigan Walk on October 12, 2008:
Above: Detroit Area CAC, Mara Husband, working the Autism Votes booth
Above: The booth was very busy with people signing petitions, registering for Autism Votes, and getting information on Autism legislation in MI
Above: Volunteers gather signatures for petitions at the AV booth
Above: People line up to sign petitions at the booth
Above: Volunteers, Carolyn and Kara, hard at work at the AV booth
Above: Patricia, one of our super hard working volunteer walkers, dropping off full petitions and picking up new ones before heading out to gather more signatures
Thank you to the entire Southeast Michigan walk community for a great Autism Votes Booth at the 2008 Walk!
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