Ron Black's Daily Rant

So, will Nick's Law be discussed in the legislature?

After some political wrangling during the last session, a procedural move supposedly made it impossible to hear Nick's Law (mandated insurance coverage for autism) for two years. Talk is that it will be heard again, but perhaps in a different format. I confess that I'm not sure just what happened or how it can happen, but I believe the time has come (again) to at least give it a fair hearing.

Much like the campus concealed carry law.

Herein lies the problem: It is an election year and campaign contributions are the life blood of any campaign and the folks with cash flow aren't really interested in doing the right thing, but rather are proponents of wide open free markets. To some, the government should not only NOT mandate anything relating to business, but pretty much give big business a blank check.

I have been a supporter of Nick's Law myself for a long time but not for the reasons you would think. Sure, my son was diagnosed with a form of autism but today, he is a normal, video-game playing teen. I support it because it is just the right thing to do. Sometimes, conservatism means that we do the right thing and lean into the pitch and take one for the team and for the "least among us."

What is ironic is the opponents of Nick's Law are often the most outspoken advocates of Christian principles and ideologies. They often believe that we are a theocracy, a country that is truly Christian at its core. If that is the case, how can they also NOT support a simple law that requires insurance companies in Oklahoma to provide an option for autism coverage? It just doesn't make sense.


To read the entire blog, please click here.

Ron Black: Autism Insurance Coverage DOA

Opinion By Ron Black
Posted on The McCarville Report Online
Click here to read the entire post.

We kind of knew that this would not be the year to see autism coverage mandated, nor really is there a chance next legislative session.

But the rally for health care reform proved that once again, it's all about the money - all about cash flow rather than human life.

It is ironic that the Chambers of Commerce and Pam Peterson are going at it over the issue of human life, but children with autism don't mean much to the pro-lifers I suppose. Heck, I am seriously pro-life but the irony of how folks are up at arms over stem cell research on embryos but couldn't give a rats ass about kids with disabilities such as autism is staggering.

Senator Gumm - Peterson shows a "Lack of Understand" About Autism Crisis

Thursday, May 15, 2008
Senator Gumm: Peterson Shows "Lack of Understanding" About Autism Crisis

OKLAHOMA CITY – An analysis by Rep. Ron Peterson of an actuarial study on “Nick’s Law” shows the representative’s “serious lack of understanding” about the autism crisis, according to Senator Jay Paul Gumm.

“Rep. Peterson may know his former profession – insurance – but his analysis of the actuarial study we provided to him shows he simply does not understand the autism crisis,” said Gumm, a Democrat from Durant who has fought for passage of autism insurance.

“Every autistic child is different with different needs. To suggest that every autistic child presents the same exposure to the insurance industry is flat wrong and not borne out by the experience in other states – or the experience of parents of autistic children.”

The key premise of Peterson’s news release was that the study, provided by Gumm to House leaders earlier this week, did not reflect that every autistic child would take the maximum benefit allowed under “Nick’s Law.”

Peterson’s estimate of a 5.22 percent increase in rates has not happened in any state with an autism insurance law. Further, the fiscal impact statement on state employees’ insurance – touted by Peterson as justification for killing “Nick’s Law” – did not reflect anything more than a 1 percent impact on claim payouts.

“I guess the question is: ‘Which is it? One percent or more than 5 percent?” Gumm asked. “The numbers from other states’ experience, as well as the numbers from Mr. Bouder’s study, have all been consistent: one percent or less impact.

“This latest release smells of desperation, and is nothing more than another attempt at confusion and delay by someone apparently determined to continue discrimination against families with autistic children.”

Peterson’s latest release comes as more criticism is heaped on the House for denying a vote on “Nick’s Law,” even from conservative quarters. Ron Black is a conservative media personality who, on his blog, lamented the fact that House leaders were unwilling to “cover the least among us.

“This is one case were ‘it’s for the children’ has meaning and my Republican brethren are living up to the stereotype of the GOP being bought and paid for by big business,” Black wrote.

Gumm said it is obvious support for “Nick’s Law” crosses party lines and political philosophies – the only roadblock is an intransigent House leadership.

“Time is of the essence in treating autistic children,” he concluded. “Every day we get closer to the end of this legislative session, and every day we lose more precious Oklahoma children to a disorder that is treatable. ‘Nick’s Law’ would change that, if only we could get a hearing.
“This is an issue about life, and Rep. Peterson wants to squabble over pennies.”

Posted by Senator Jay Paul Gumm at 10:44 PM

Read More, click Here.