House Leaders face political pressure on Nick's Law

Tue May 6, 2008

By Tim Talley
Associated Press Writer
Supporters of legislation that would require health insurance companies to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism brought new political pressure Tuesday on Republican leaders in the Oklahoma House to schedule a hearing on the Senate-passed bill.

Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, who authored the measure known as "Nick's Law," urged GOP House Speaker Chris Benge of Tulsa to offer an alternative to the autism mandate if he is unwilling to allow House members to vote on it. The measure received bipartisan support in the Senate.

"You have given your answer to 'Nick's Law,' and it is 'No.' My question, Mr. Speaker, is: What is your solution?" Gumm states in a letter that was hand-delivered to Benge's office.

"We have placed ours on the table time and again only to be denied even a chance to present it in what is supposed to be 'The People's House'," said Gumm, D-Durant.

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