Arkansas

Arkansas Autism News:

SB 913 Passes in the State Senate and Heads to the House!  Attend the Hearing Tomorrow and Take Action Today!

The Autism Insurance Reform bill known as SB 913 passed the Arkansas Senate floor UNANIMOUSLY yesterday afternoon and has moved on to the House! This fast moving bill has already been assigned to committee and will be heard tomorrow.

Your very URGENT help is needed this afternoon and tomorrow morning! We don't have much time so please act now!

SB 913 has been assigned to the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. We need you to call and leave a message for each of the Representatives below that you are in favor of this legislation. We also need anyone within quick driving distance of the Capitol to attend the hearing tomorrow morning, Friday, April 3rd at 10am.

SB 913 This legislation would require private health insurance companies to cover the screening, diagnosis, testing and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sponsored by Senator Mary Anne Salmon (D-31), the autism insurance reform bill includes coverage of evidence-based, medically-necessary autism therapies.

HOW CAN YOU HELP!

1. CONTACT THE HOUSE INSURANCE AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE! Please make calls to all members of the committee. For all 8 Members dial: 501-682-6211 and ask to be connected to their offices, or leave a message with the operator. Ask them to vote YES tomorrow on SB 913! Remember to be polite and follow up with an email to the Committee Members here.

IF YOU CAN ONLY MAKE A FEW CALLS TODAY PLEASE CALL THESE THREE REPRESENTATIVES TODAY! Their support is very much needed to pass this bill out of the Committee!

**Representative Eddie Hawkins, Chair, District 47
**Representative Bruce Maloch, District 4
**Representative Eddie Cooper, District 71

THEN CALL THESE REPRESENTATIVES!

Representative Fred Allen, Vice Chair, District 33
Representative Bill Abernathy, District 22
Representative Mark Martin, District 87
Representative Allen Maxwell, District 10
Representive Rick Green, District 66
Representative Willy Hardy, District 5
Representative Wilhelmina Lewellen, District 34
Representative David Rainey, District 11
Representative John Paul Wells, District 84
Representative David Dunn, District 51
Representative Frank Glidewell, District 63
Representative Johnny Hoyt, District 60
Representative Jon Woods, District 93
Representative Buddy Lovell, District 56
Representative Charolette Wagner, District 77
Representative Keith Ingram, District 53
Representative Barry Hyde, District 40 

Featured Arkansas Headlines:

Autism Speaks Endorses Arkansas Autism Insurance Reform Bill  - March 18, 2009

Summary of the Autism Insurance Insurance Reform Bill:

Senate Bill 913 - Sponsored by State Senator Mary Anne Salmon (D-31)

• Requires private health insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder
  
  
• Coverage of treatments will be provided  when prescribed, provided, or ordered for an individual diagnosed with autism by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist who determines the care to be evidence-based and medically necessary
  
  
• The bill includes coverage of the following treatments: Diagnosis, Habilitative or rehabilitative care, Pharmacy care, Psychiatric care, Psychological care, Therapeutic care, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
  
  
• The bill defines "evidence-based" as based on research that applies rigorous, systematic, and objective procedures to obtain valid knowledge relative to autism spectrum disorders
  
  
• The bill defines "medically necessary" as any care, treatment, intervention, service, or item that is prescribed, provided, or ordered by a licensed physician or a licenses psychologist that will, or is reasonably expected to
  • prevent the onset of an illness, condition, injury, or disability;
  • reduce or ameliorate the physical, mental, or developmental effects of an illness, condition, injury, or disability; or
  • assist to achieve or maintain maximum functional capacity in performing daily activities, taking into account both the functional capacity of the individual and the functional capacities that are appropriate for individuals of the same age
    
    
• The bill applies only to fully-funded group health plans governed by state law
  
  
• If passed, this bill will go into effect on October 1, 2009