tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83013263816196508442024-01-23T06:22:34.370-06:00Nick's Law & Autism LegislationWayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.comBlogger359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-8322170133244032912011-03-16T10:32:00.002-05:002011-03-16T10:36:10.749-05:00Bad Medicine : Every one will pay for inaction on autism legislationBY ARNOLD HAMILTON...So let's get this straight: The Republican-majority Oklahoma Legislature is seriously discussing a bill that could make it more difficult for regular folk to circulate initiative petitions and get them on the ballot?The same Oklahoma Legislature that itself placed 10 of 11 referenda on last year's ballot -- most wedge issues designed to ignite turnout among constituencies Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-45426258303699368062011-03-11T12:47:00.003-06:002011-03-11T12:59:04.444-06:00Nick's Law falls short again in the OK LegislatureCOMMENTARYThe City SentinelBy Wayne RohdeMarch 10th, 2011As the Oklahoma Legislature closes out the first month of this new session, I am concerned that Oklahoma is missing out on a great opportunity to say to the world, to say to this nation, that we rise above politics, we rise above the rhetoric that divides us on some many levels, and tend to the needs of those in our society are the most Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-36176043035339142842011-03-09T07:31:00.000-06:002011-03-09T07:33:23.302-06:00Ark Gov signs autism insurance coverage bill into lawLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Gov. Mike Beebe will sign into law a bill requiring insurance companies to cover autism diagnosis and treatment. There is new support for autistic children in Arkansas. Tuesday, Governor Mike Beebe signed an autism bill into law. It requires most health insurance companies to cover autism diagnoses and treatment for children under 18. It's a signature with the power toWayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-61794733970535139202011-02-28T10:50:00.002-06:002011-02-28T10:54:18.644-06:00New Hampshire Bill to repeal Autism Coverage"The lunatics are on the grass" - editorBILL COULD STOP COVERAGERindge lawmaker hopes to reduce what insurance companies have to payBy Dave Eisenstadter Sentinel StaffPublished: Sunday, February 27, 2011A local Republican legislator says he is trying to undo insurance regulation passed in the last four years while Democrats were in charge.House Bill 309, solely sponsored by John B. Hunt of RindgeWayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-64628102746446416272011-02-28T10:35:00.004-06:002011-02-28T10:39:48.036-06:00Defining 'Essential' CareRegulators Move to Specify Coverage Under Health Law; Insurers Seek Flexibility.By AVERY JOHNSON WSJ February 28, 2011Maggie Haslam's five-year-old autistic son, Drew, has undergone intense behavioral, physical and speech therapy that helped him learn to dress himself and communicate such concepts as "over" and "under."Drew Haslam, 5, is autistic and has received care that may not be covered Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-91743236172422731302011-02-25T16:17:00.003-06:002011-02-25T16:25:31.119-06:00Trying to Get Nick’s Law on the BallotFiled by Michael CrossFebruary 24, 2011KOSU RadioSupporters of legislation to require insurance companies cover children with autism are upset by a move by the State Speaker of the House that they say will kill the bill.Supporters of Nick’s Law say the House Speaker moved HB 1624 from the Insurance Committee to the Rules Committee in order to stop it from moving forward.The bill’s author, Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-77791251087004491902011-02-25T16:02:00.001-06:002011-02-25T16:06:33.806-06:00New "Nick's Law" bill gets shuffled into legislative "graveyard"By Andrew W. GriffinRed Dirt Report, editorPosted: February 23, 2011reddirtreporter@gmail.comOKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma families with autistic children hit another roadblock this week when they discovered the GOP-led House leadership made a last-minute decision to have renewed discussion of “Nick’s Law” moved from the Insurance Committee to the Rules Committee.The committee was scheduled to meet onWayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-18858757866055857162011-02-25T16:00:00.000-06:002011-02-25T16:01:46.926-06:00Arkansas House Committee approves autism insurance coverage billAssociated Press - February 22, 2011 1:34 PM ET LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - A House panel has approved a proposal to require most health insurance companies to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism.The House Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee gave its endorsement Tuesday morning to the bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Uvalde Lindsey of Fayetteville.Jonesboro native Dayna Miller says her Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-24342397970928939222011-02-03T10:04:00.001-06:002011-02-03T10:06:55.712-06:00Tea Party. v. Virginia MandateThe Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation, the umbrella group of tea party organizations in the state, has come out against a bill backed by House Speaker Bill Howell that would require businesses to provide insurance coverage for children with autism. "Autism is certainly a heartbreaking condition and the treatments are a terrible financial strain for many families,'' said Mark Kevin Lloyd, Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-47807997746911066962011-01-27T14:11:00.002-06:002011-01-27T14:17:33.677-06:00Minneapolis - City Pages IEIBT could cure autismBut HealthPartners and other insurance companies won't pay for itBy Nick Pinto Wednesday, Jan 26 2011 Tracy Reid was bawling uncontrollably, and the medical specialist sitting across from her couldn't understand why. She had just told Reid that her five-year-old son Max scored normally on a battery of mental tests and had an average IQ. What was there to cry about?Max Reid, now five, was Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-15136162335770913962011-01-27T12:44:00.001-06:002011-01-27T13:13:32.256-06:00Local family seeks out autism helpThe Edmond SunJanuary 26, 2011 James Coburn EDMOND — EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a two-part series. In Friday’s Edition of The Edmond Sun will be coverage of state Rep. Randy Grau’s efforts to include autism coverage in the state’s high risk insurance pool.People don’t fully understand the reality of an insurance company saying, “‘We’re not going to help you with your kid,’” Eric Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-29747149251354358042011-01-22T00:14:00.003-06:002011-01-22T00:20:03.314-06:00Rep Mike Brown introduces HB 1624 Vote of the People for Nick's LawFox 25 News Oklahoma CityJan 21, 2011Oklahoma City - Rep Mike Brown has filed HB 1624 which will allow the voters of Oklahoma to have the final say on Nick's Law if passed by the state legislature.Click here to view the video.Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-39152709229019955682011-01-20T21:08:00.002-06:002011-01-20T21:10:16.078-06:00Shelley Hendrix Reynolds: Oregon First State to Introduce Autism Insurance Reform in 2011And we're off!It's easy to tell the first Monday back after the New Year in the Government Relations department at Autism Speaks. It's full of sparks as rockets start taking off in every possible angle in the race to introduce autism insurance reform legislation in the states. States spend all fall hammering out policy details, knitting coalitions and growing their grassroots advocates and then Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-10566747239909124502011-01-20T21:05:00.000-06:002011-01-20T21:07:21.926-06:00Michigan Lawmakers discuss autism insurance coverageJan 20, 2011LANSING (AP) -- Michigan lawmakers are renewing efforts to require the offering of insurance coverage for certain autism treatments.Bills were introduced this week in the state Senate. Democratic Sen. Tupac Hunter of Detroit said Thursday the insurance coverage is needed to help families that can't afford the costs of certain autism treatments for their children.More than 20 other Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-27250962977798074462011-01-20T21:01:00.001-06:002011-01-20T21:04:07.087-06:00Virginia Autism Project pushes for insurance reformVAP taking two bills to the State SenateJanuary 17, 2011|By Bob Grebe | Reporter The Virginia Autism Project is hoping the General Assembly will take up Autism insurance reform. The VAP website lists two bills the group is supporting this year. SB 1061 - Coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder; relating to the state employee health benefit plan. This bill only covers state employees. SBWayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-81782356537545132742011-01-20T20:52:00.002-06:002011-01-20T21:00:40.666-06:00W. Virigina Flash Mob Raises Autism AwarenessClick Here to see the video.CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- As people headed into the Capital Classic Wednesday night, they probably noticed something was a little different this year.A large group of people suddenly came together to speak out about an issue affecting thousands of families.They're trying to get better health coverage to help kids living with autism in West Virginia.Sonja Almonte saysWayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-30432403590568442522010-11-08T12:28:00.002-06:002010-11-08T12:32:07.461-06:00Health Insurance Companies Fight Back Against Mental Health Equality LawEditors note: We need to keep an eye on this. This could be used as a template to repeal insurance coverage for autism.In 2008, when comprehensive healthcare reform was only a theory in Democratic presidential primary debates, one bit of changes occurred. That year, Congress passed a bill that requires health insurance companies to treat physical and mental illness equally. This law was mostly Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-91426798703947755452010-11-04T11:13:00.001-05:002010-11-04T11:16:29.562-05:00Expert Q&A: My child has autismPosted October 29, 2010 at 9:13am by Elaine SalyQuestion: My 16 year-old son has autism. He currently receives survivor benefits from Social Security. These will end when he's 18; however, his autism won't. Will health reform provide any services or support for our autistic children as they become adults?Answer: Yes, your son and other young adults with autism will benefit from many provisions ofWayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-77560007521156785222010-10-27T12:53:00.002-05:002010-10-27T12:58:17.497-05:00ND lawmakers say autism bill needs more studyEditor's note. ND state Rep Bette Grande stated that the bill is too broad and needs more study. Translation, insurance lobby has a strong advocate in Rep Grande. There are 23 other states that have focused the legislation. No different in North Dakota.Published: Tuesday, 26 Oct 2010 BISMARCK, N.D. - Lawmakers say they're not ready to push the North Dakota Legislature to support mandatory Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-69820924027783203712010-10-21T17:04:00.001-05:002010-10-21T17:07:27.711-05:00Announcing The Combating Autism Act Reauthorization CoalitionCourtesy of our friends at Age of Autism.President Bush signed into law the Combating Autism Act (CAA) on December 19, 2006. This landmark legislation authorized $700 million in research funding over five years and set the goal of finding the cause (including possible environmental causes) and treatments for autism. The Act sunsets on September 30, 2011. A coalition of leading community Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-25008036358776110052010-10-21T16:50:00.001-05:002010-10-21T16:57:59.507-05:00Missouri State Senate race turns personal over autism(KMOX) — Claims made on a recent campaign flyer have blown up into a major issue between state Senate candidates Barbara Fraser and John Lamping.They’re both vying for the seat being given up by Joan Bray, who’s being term-limited.Fraser sent out a mailer saying Lamping was against health care coverage for children with autism.Turns out Lamping’s 19-year-old daughter has a form of autism.“Its Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-60343944314862756102010-10-21T16:48:00.000-05:002010-10-21T16:50:00.210-05:00NY Governor vetoes bill to mandate autism health-insurance coverageGov. David Paterson has vetoed legislation that would require state-regulated health-insurance companies to cover “evidence-based, peer-reviewed and clinically proven” treatment and therapy for people with autism spectrum disorder, saying it would amount to an unfunded mandate because it would increase health-insurance premiums state and local governments pay and the premiums for Child Health Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-52783431368648286112010-10-07T09:47:00.002-05:002010-10-07T09:49:17.801-05:00Cost of Nevada autism care mandate debatedOct. 07, 2010 Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal By JENNIFER ROBISONLAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL DUANE PROKOP/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL For a change, we're not going to talk politics today.Sure, Nevada's autism health-insurance mandate became a red-hot campaign topic in September, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., making a major issue of Republican candidate Sharron Angle's Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-18166448157119119002010-10-05T16:53:00.001-05:002010-10-05T16:54:43.458-05:00Michigan Parents Testify Before Lawmakers On Autism CoverageTuesday a panel of parents and experts testified before state lawmakers in an effort to help get Michigan to require health insurers to cover treatment for autism. It is a disorder which affects socialization and learning for some 15,000 Michigan children. "Many children with autism will need special education for their entire school career, and will need institutionalization as adults if they Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8301326381619650844.post-52142504015605577192010-10-03T22:21:00.003-05:002010-10-03T22:28:24.598-05:00Court Ruling in autism case hailed as a breakthrough for insurance coverageEditors note: During the 2009 Oklahoma Legislative Session, Rep Kris Steele, drafted legislation dubbed as the Republican Autism Plan to create an ABA research project at OUHSC. Autism advocates informed him that ABA has over 25+ years of clinical research and we do not need to spend hundreds of thousands of tax payer dollars to reinvent the wheel. This is nothing more than a stall. - WayneBy Wayne Rohdehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486553652241289394noreply@blogger.com0