Decoding Nick's Law

Decoding Nick's Law
MetroFamily Magazine
July 2009
Pam Pollard

“The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them; that’s the essence of inhumanity.” - George Bernard Shaw

Is autism in Oklahoma an issue of compromise or indifference? Those on the side of House Bill 2027—otherwise known as Nick’s Law—are passionate and clear on one point: without insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders, it won’t matter how many new Board Certified Behavior Analysts are enacted in this state through Senate Bill 135. There will be very few families who can afford to pay them.

“There is some confusion on what Nick’s Law is. Since I wrote it, let me explain,” said Wayne Rohde, father of autistic son Nick Rohde, for whom the bill is named. “It is just legislation to require private insurance companies (not federal employees, the self-insured or Medicaid) to provide insurance coverage for autism. No taxpayer money will pay for services. The parents (of autistic children) pay for the insurance premiums. There could be taxpayer money in the bill to pay for the premium increases, if any, for state employees. The fiscally conservative thing to do is to allow private insurance coverage, so the taxpayers will not be forced to pick up the tab.”

The other side of the autism/insurance debate emphatically believes that House Bill 2027, Nick’s Law, may positively impact a small minority but negatively impact a vast majority of premium-paying individuals.

“Wayne [Rohde] and his family have been very effective advocates of getting autism coverage,” said Senator Clark Jolley (R-Edmond). “The debate over cost to everyone else’s insurance premiums and whether it would result in more people being uninsured is an important one and should not be overlooked.”

These concerns prompted the introduction of Senate Bill 135. The Senate Bill has two main goals: first, to increase the number of trained specialists to treat autism spectrum disorders; second to encourage the open insurance market to adjust coverage based on the demand of services.

Senate Bill 135 also includes provisions that establish a state license for National Board Certified Behavioral Analysts and increased training for the evaluation and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. The bill seeks to enhance Sooner Start, an early intervention and treatment program for children up to age 3 with disabilities and developmental delays. An extended measure of the law looks to replicate Early Foundations, an autism treatment and outreach model through trained providers currently funded through the State Department of Education.

Supporters of Nick’s Law feel that Senate Bill 135 is similar to their own proposed bill but with one major exception: the insurance mandate is removed. “My opinion is that Senate Bill 135 is a waste of taxpayer’s money,” said Rohde. “It provides money to study applied behaviors, yet we have nearly 25-plus years worth of research from the United States Department of Education, the United States Department of Defense, the United States Surgeon General and many more credible sources.” Rohde feels that the spending allocated by the bill is wasteful. “There is no direct help to children and their families,” Rohde said.

Senate Bill 135 was unanimously passed by the Senate on April 21, 2009, after the House Republican majority blocked the insurance coverage mandate for Nick’s Law. House Bill 2027 (Nick’s Law) was killed and banned from the floor for two years after the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee made a do-not-pass recommendation on it.

Not all Oklahoma lawmakers believe, however, that Senate Bill 135 was the appropriate measure to take. “While the legislature has passed measures to increase providers for families with autism, the fundamental fact remains that many families cannot afford the services to treat their loved ones without insurance coverage,” said Senator Kenneth Corn (D-Howe).

When all is said and done, the argument that squelched Nick’s Law while advancing Senate Bill 135 is a disagreement between the costs of funding insurance for families dealing with autism. “This bill will… give families dealing with the disorder more options for treatment,” said Senator Ron Justice (R-Chickasha). “Every step we can take towards early detection and treatment of autism spectrum disorders will greatly benefit those with autism and their families. In the long run, early intervention and proper treatment will reduce the costs associated with autism, and will help Oklahoma’s youth with this disorder be able to reach their full God-given potential.”

The debate over Nick’s Law has brought questions about autism and insurance to the forefront in Oklahoma. The full impact has yet to be seen, but we can all be assured that the debate will continue, both in Oklahoma and on the national level.


Jeana Pollard is a freelance writer, mother of two daughters (Paley and Paven), and wife of Matt Pollard.

Link to MetroFamily

Insurance Mandate Introduced Involving Cancer

By Amy Lester, NEWS 9
Posted: March 16, 2009

Click here to read the entire article.

Click here to watch the video

The bill concerning cancer treatments passed the Senate, including 11 republicans.

Senator Ron Justice (R-District 23) says he supports the cancer treatment bill, but chose to vote against Nick's Law.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A state lawmaker offers a plea after one bill passes the Senate and another bill remains a long shot.

Nick's Law which would force health insurance companies to cover autism therapies died on the second day of session. One lawmaker keeps pushing for it, without much luck.

A bill about cancer has supporters of Nick's Law up in arms.

They're upset because many Republicans oppose Nick's Law since it's an insurance mandate and could force up premiums. The same concerns do not seem to exist, however, when it comes to mandates involving cancer.

"If mandates are bad, this should've been bad as well," said Senator Jay Paul Gumm (D-District 6).

Senator Gumm is frustrated since some Republicans voted "yes" on a bill that forces insurance companies to cover chemotherapy pills, yet they turn their heads when it comes to autism coverage.

"It certainly says that we value this malady more then we value the one your children are suffering from," Senator Gumm said.

Wayne Rohde is also shocked. He spends countless hours at the Capitol fighting for insurance coverage of autism therapy for his son Nick, the bill's namesake, and other kids.

"It gives us a little bit of a glimmer of hope if the Senate can pass an insurance mandate maybe this legislature will see to do the right thing for these children," Rohde said.

Eleven Republicans voted "yes" on the chemotherapy pill mandate, including Senator Ron Justice (R-District 23). He said it could give rural Oklahoma more access to health care.

"They could take the medication orally instead of having to do to a hospital a long ways away," said Senator Justice. "That's why I thought it was important to at least take a look at it."

But, Senator Justice opposes forcing insurance companies to cover therapy for autism.

"I am concerned about mandates, I do not like to put mandates on but, I think you have to look at each individual bill on its own merits," Justice said.

Despite the resistance, the fight for Nick's Law will continue. Supporters believe they'll eventually prevail.

"We're going to be growing in numbers every year and we're gonna be louder and louder, we're not going to go away," Rohde said.

The cancer mandate still has a long road ahead. It must pass through the House and then back to the Senate for final approval.

Republican leadership who voted against the cancer bill said they oppose all insurance mandates, arguing they'll raise the cost of health insurance.