Will Obama Make a Difference?

Well, it's only been a few days and our new President has outlined Autism as one of his top priorities! Look at what topped his 24 point-agenda!

Obama called for:
1. Increased funding for research, treatment, screenings, public awareness and support services for autism spectrum disorders.

2. "Life-long services" for people with autism spectrum disorders, as children and as adults. Many parents struggle to find and pay for screening and treatments for their children, but there is even less coverage and capacity for adults with autism-based impairments.

3. More funding for the 2006 Combating Autism Act, as well as improving state and federal autism programs.

4. Universal screening for all infants for autism disorders, as well as re-screening for all 2-year-olds. This is the biggie; children are currently screened only if parents or pediatricians voice a concern, so too many children aren't diagnosed until they enter elementary school. The earlier treatment starts, the more effective it is, and a national screening program would help reduce the number of kids falling through the cracks. It would also be a huge undertaking, at a time when both government and privately insured health care is foundering.

For you...

To One Specific Reader,

If you don't want your feelings hurt, don't read this blog ever again.

Take this blog off your bookmarks.

Take this off your "favorites list" because clearly I am not a favorite of yours.

I never invited you to read it.

Autism Parity

This is a new year, thus it is time to start contacting your new Representatives! It is on the docket here in Michigan to get Insurance Companies to cover Autism Therapies! As it stands right now, if children have a diagnosis of Autism, insurance companies deny coverage...straight out! Can you say DISCRIMINATION? Yep, that's all it is! Funny story (not funny at all, really)...we were trying to get Leah's appointments at U of M for her diagnosis of Autism to be covered with our insurance company ($2400, thank you). In speaking with the company, she stated, "We don't DO Autism!" Oh...well, I don't do discrimination!!!



So, I am asking that all of you consider contacting your Representative, either by making a quick phone call or by writing a letter. When people used to ask me to do this, I'd respond by saying, "But what do I say?" Let me help you...



"I come to you today to sign-on and to sponsor a the bill for Autism Parity.

There are so many families in _____ County as well as in the State of MI that struggles to fund their child’s (appropriate) therapy, for their individual needs! Please consider signing on and supporting families in their plight for Autism Parity!!!!

Warmest regards,______"



See, it's easy!!! You can cut and paste!!!!



Here is the website to find your Representative!!! Plug in your zip code!

http://house.michigan.gov/find_a_rep.asp



If you are concerned about money...here is a document that states..."It's SOOOO worth it!"

AUTISM TREATMENT COVERAGE S.B. 784 & 785: COMMITTEE SUMMARY -- CONTENT Senate Bills 784 and 785 would amend the Insurance Code and the Nonprofit Health Care Corporation Reform Act, respectively, to require an insurer, a health maintenance organization (HMO), and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorder; and to provide that coverage under the same terms and conditions as the coverage for treatment of other disorders.Senate Bill 784 would apply to an expense-incurred hospital, medical, or surgical policy or contract and an HMO contract. Senate Bill 785 would apply to a BCBSM certificate.The required coverage would have to include therapeutic evaluations and interventions, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, intensive early intervention, applied behavioral analysis, and Lovaas behavioral therapy. An insurer, an HMO, or BCBSM could confirm a diagnosis or review the appropriateness of a specific treatment plan in order to ensure that the coverage was limited to diagnostic and treatment services."Autism spectrum disorder" would mean a neurobiological condition that includes autism, Asperger Syndrome, and Rett's Syndrome.



FISCAL IMPACT There are two considerations in estimating the net cost of mandating coverage of autism spectrum disorder by health insurers: the cost of the coverage and the potential long-term savings from early intervention.Estimates vary as to the cost increase for insurers. Treatment for autism spectrum disorder is expensive, but it only affects a small number of enrollees. The general estimate is in the range of a 1% cost increase, which would equate to about a $2 million GF/GP increase for the State of Michigan. The cost increase for local governments would be of a similar magnitude.Estimates of potential long-term cost avoidance are much more difficult to quantify as there is no indication of any fully controlled random assignment studies of the effects of covering services. On an intuitive basis, it is clear that the cost increase would be at least partially and perhaps completely offset by long-term savings.


Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.



And if you need one more reason to give 5 minutes of your time for this cause...

Guess What We Got????

You know what? We are big girls! Really big girls! We go to school, we are little 'miss independents', we dress and undress ourselves, we go potty by ourselves, and guess what else we do? Oh yes, this is a right of passage into big girl 'hood'! We chew gum!!! Like cows in a pasture or valley girls out west! Our Leah and Logan think they're cool!

Do you see my gum???

I know you can see my gum!!!!

Better Late Than Never...Ho Ho Ho

It was a great Holiday Season...Let me show you........

A Leapster

Santa Visited

Grandma Kohls

Tired Princess...

Oh my goodness!

Logan and Mom

So Tired

New Year's Party Hats