CapitolHouse minority leader says his party held out for big battles on chamber floor
BY MICHAEL MCNUTT
Published: March 1, 2009
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Oklahoma House Democrats promise to make more noise as legislation favored by the in-control Republicans is taken up on the chamber’s floor in the next two weeks.
Many bemoan that legislation they authored did not make it out of committees by last week’s deadline. In some committees, Democrats didn’t speak out against measures they were against.
"The opposition will begin now,” said House Democratic leader Danny Morgan of Prague. "What you’re going to see from the Democratic caucus is a lot more activity from us on the floor so that the arguments against these pieces of legislation can be heard by the entire body and not a half-dozen committee members.
"I don’t know that I’ve ever seen this caucus quite as invigorated as it is right now. Sometimes, failure promotes energy.”
House Republican leaders got all their key issues through committees — no surprise as Republicans control the House 61-40.
House Speaker Chris Benge had all his key proposals — including bills promoting the use of alternative fuels through tax breaks and other incentives — passed unanimously out of committees.
"It’s been a good, productive, first four weeks,” said Benge, R-Tulsa. "We’ve got a lot of good things going. The budget (shortfall) still is going to be a challenge, of course, but I feel good about things to this point.”
Democrats lost their showdown with Republicans over the autism insurance coverage mandate during a committee hearing on the second day of this year’s session.
Benge said more study is needed on the cost of mandating coverage.
GOP autism bill advances
Republicans got their proposal on how to deal with children with autism passed out of committee and eliminated any chance legislators would consider for the next two years the Democratic-backed idea of requiring insurance companies to cover children with autism.
The House Republican measure, by House Speaker Pro Tempore Kris Steele of Shawnee, calls for enacting a licensing process for national board-certified behavioral analysts and expanding state programs that train doctors to diagnose and treat autism.
Still, Morgan said Democrats will try to keep alive the concept of insurance companies being required to cover treatment for children with autism.
Morgan said he’s disappointed two measures he filed didn’t get heard by committees — establishing a no-call list for businesses and prohibiting drivers under the age of 18 from being able to use cell phones while driving.
Other measures by Republicans that passed committees include making English the official language, cracking down on puppy mills and changing how workers’ compensation judges are picked.
A proposal by Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, to allow faculty members and those who have concealed gun permits along with firearms training to carry concealed weapons on college campuses remained bottled up in committee. Murphey, noting the Senate killed a similar measure, said he may wait until next session to bring out a campus guns bill.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Lawmakers question erectile dysfunction coverage
FAIRNESS
Sen. Tom Adelson: He wonders why autism is not covered by insurance companies that cover erectile dysfunction.
By BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Published: 2/26/2009
OKLAHOMA CITY — Democratic senators are questioning why insurance companies can cover the treatment of erectile dysfunction and not autism.
The 22 Senate Democrats asked a state agency Wednesday to determine how much could be saved if the Legislature banned insurance companies that don't cover autism from covering erectile dysfunction.
The request was sent to Bill W. Crain, administrator of the Oklahoma State Education Employees Group Insurance Board.
"We have been told by Republicans that it is not fair for those who do not have autism to have to pay for coverage for those who do," said Sen. Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa.
"Why is it fair for those who do not suffer from erectile dysfunction to pay for those who do in the form of higher premiums? I would think most Oklahomans would rather have their premiums cover children with autism, rather than people with erectile dysfunction."
The state does not mandate coverage for erectile dysfunction but does mandate prostate screenings and exams, said Amber England, a spokeswoman for the Senate Democrats.
"We know insurance companies cover the treatment of erectile dysfunction," England said.
A bill to require insurance companies to cover autism died in the House and can't be revived for two years. A similar measure did not get a hearing in the Senate.
Adelson said Senate Democrats could amend a bill to ban insurance companies from covering the treatment of erectile dysfunction if they don't cover autism.
Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, said he has prepared two other amendments intended to help families of children with autism.
One would ban insurance companies that don't provide autism coverage from receiving state incentives, such as tax credits for creating jobs, Gumm said.
Another would make the state's health insurance "high-risk pool" cover autism, Gumm said. The high-risk pool is for those who can't get insurance anywhere else, he said.
Erectile dysfunction and insurance
Tulsa World
By Staff Reports
Published: 2/28/2009
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In today's Tulsa World Democrat Senators are wanting to know why insurance companies are paying for those with erectile dysfuntion and not for autism. There needs to be a case for fighting this. Maybe the insurance companies will think twice about this. If they don't, maybe they should cut off those with erectile dysfuntion, (not pun intended) paying their insurance.
Clayton L. Riggs, Independence, Kansas
By Staff Reports
Published: 2/28/2009
To comment on story, click here.
In today's Tulsa World Democrat Senators are wanting to know why insurance companies are paying for those with erectile dysfuntion and not for autism. There needs to be a case for fighting this. Maybe the insurance companies will think twice about this. If they don't, maybe they should cut off those with erectile dysfuntion, (not pun intended) paying their insurance.
Clayton L. Riggs, Independence, Kansas
Oklahoma political parties spar over insurance measures
BY JULIE BISBEE
Published: February 27, 2009
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The Republican-led Senate is protecting insurance companies and ignoring important issues for Oklahoma families, Senate Democrats said Thursday.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, called Democrats’ comments "over the top.”
Four weeks into the legislative session, Democrats said the Republican leadership refused to hear bills that would affect the health insurance industry and help families. Republicans hold a 26-22 majority in the Senate.
Earlier this year, the Senate passed a rule that required a financial impact statement with all bills that would increase required coverage insurance companies must provide.
Democrats said many bills meant to help families were not heard in committee and won’t be debated on the Senate floor. One of those bills is "Nick’s Law,” which would require insurance companies to cover treatment for autism.
"For whatever reason, they can’t live up to their pro-family rhetoric. Talk’s cheap in this business,” said Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, who authored Nick’s Law. "There are families out there who are being torn asunder by the challenges brought on them because they have a child with autism.”
Earlier in the session, a House committee heard the bill and voted it down. Under House rules, the measure can’t be taken up again for two years.
Another bill that didn’t get heard was Sen. Andrew Rice’s bill that would require insurance companies to cover people who choose experimental treatments. The Oklahoma City Democrat said the bill wasn’t heard in committee, but has been attached to a bill that will be heard by the full Senate.
"Why is it they’re afraid to allow their members vote on legislation that polling shows is very popular?” Rice said. "Why not let it come up to the light of day and let everybody have an up or down vote?”
Insurance companies are not without fault, but the Democrats are just doing the bidding of trial lawyers, Coffee said.
"We’ve all had experiences with insurance companies where we know they’ve abused their authority and power, and I think they ought to be held accountable for that,” Coffee said. "At the same time, I wish the Democrats would be honest about the fact that they’ve become shills for the trial lawyer community.”
Published: February 27, 2009
to comment on the article, click here.
The Republican-led Senate is protecting insurance companies and ignoring important issues for Oklahoma families, Senate Democrats said Thursday.
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Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, called Democrats’ comments "over the top.”
Four weeks into the legislative session, Democrats said the Republican leadership refused to hear bills that would affect the health insurance industry and help families. Republicans hold a 26-22 majority in the Senate.
Earlier this year, the Senate passed a rule that required a financial impact statement with all bills that would increase required coverage insurance companies must provide.
Democrats said many bills meant to help families were not heard in committee and won’t be debated on the Senate floor. One of those bills is "Nick’s Law,” which would require insurance companies to cover treatment for autism.
"For whatever reason, they can’t live up to their pro-family rhetoric. Talk’s cheap in this business,” said Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, who authored Nick’s Law. "There are families out there who are being torn asunder by the challenges brought on them because they have a child with autism.”
Earlier in the session, a House committee heard the bill and voted it down. Under House rules, the measure can’t be taken up again for two years.
Another bill that didn’t get heard was Sen. Andrew Rice’s bill that would require insurance companies to cover people who choose experimental treatments. The Oklahoma City Democrat said the bill wasn’t heard in committee, but has been attached to a bill that will be heard by the full Senate.
"Why is it they’re afraid to allow their members vote on legislation that polling shows is very popular?” Rice said. "Why not let it come up to the light of day and let everybody have an up or down vote?”
Insurance companies are not without fault, but the Democrats are just doing the bidding of trial lawyers, Coffee said.
"We’ve all had experiences with insurance companies where we know they’ve abused their authority and power, and I think they ought to be held accountable for that,” Coffee said. "At the same time, I wish the Democrats would be honest about the fact that they’ve become shills for the trial lawyer community.”
Oklahoma GOP kills revived autism measure
Tahlequah Democrat vows to keep trying to require coverage for disorder
BY MICHAEL MCNUTT
Published: February 27, 2009
To comment on the article, click here.
State House Republicans quashed an effort Thursday to revive the issue of requiring insurers to provide coverage for children with autism.
House Democratic floor leader Mike Brown proposed an amendment that no Oklahoma insurance carrier could provide coverage for erectile dysfunction unless it also provided coverage for autism spectrum disorders.
The amendment was killed along party lines, 59-37.
"It’s a crying shame that we allow insurance companies to cover pleasure over the needs of children in Oklahoma,” said Brown of Tahlequah.
Some loopholes
Under Brown’s amendment, insurance companies, regardless of whether they offered coverage for children with autism, could still cover erectile dysfunction for men who suffer from prostate cancer, an accident or other medical problems.
"This would only prohibit insurance companies from providing coverage for your sexual pleasure unless they provide coverage for kids with autism,” Brown said.
A bill to require insurance companies to cover autism was killed by a House committee earlier this session and can’t be revived for two years.
A similar measure did not get a hearing in the state Senate.
"I’m going to keep it on the forefront until we address this problem,” the Tahlequah lawmaker said.
BY MICHAEL MCNUTT
Published: February 27, 2009
To comment on the article, click here.
State House Republicans quashed an effort Thursday to revive the issue of requiring insurers to provide coverage for children with autism.
House Democratic floor leader Mike Brown proposed an amendment that no Oklahoma insurance carrier could provide coverage for erectile dysfunction unless it also provided coverage for autism spectrum disorders.
The amendment was killed along party lines, 59-37.
"It’s a crying shame that we allow insurance companies to cover pleasure over the needs of children in Oklahoma,” said Brown of Tahlequah.
Some loopholes
Under Brown’s amendment, insurance companies, regardless of whether they offered coverage for children with autism, could still cover erectile dysfunction for men who suffer from prostate cancer, an accident or other medical problems.
"This would only prohibit insurance companies from providing coverage for your sexual pleasure unless they provide coverage for kids with autism,” Brown said.
A bill to require insurance companies to cover autism was killed by a House committee earlier this session and can’t be revived for two years.
A similar measure did not get a hearing in the state Senate.
"I’m going to keep it on the forefront until we address this problem,” the Tahlequah lawmaker said.
Autism lawsuit waits on insurer
Click here to read entire article.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Detroit
Judge tells Blues to respond to parents' bid for therapy coverage or case will proceed.
Jennifer Chambers / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- A federal court judge was poised Thursday to grant class-action status to a lawsuit by parents of autistic children who want Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan to pay for behavioral therapy, but agreed to give the insurer more time to file a response in the case.
U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy told Blue Cross attorney Scott Hamilton that because there was no response from Blue Cross on the record as to why he should oppose class certification, he was willing to grant the motion. But because he was impressed with Hamilton's earlier arguments, he would allow the attorney time to file a response.
"Otherwise I will grant that motion as unopposed," Murphy said.
Christopher Johns, a Warren father whose 7-year-old son is autistic, is suing Blue Cross on behalf of people who have been denied claims on the basis that applied behavioral analysis treatment for their autistic child is experimental. Johns filed the suit in federal court in May and is seeking a class action because more than 7,000 children in Michigan have autism, a neurological disorder that can cause children to become withdrawn, nonverbal and avoid eye contact.
Data from the federal government shows that 1 in 150 American children has the disorder.
Officials with the insurance group have said long-term studies on autism educational therapies have been inconclusive and the treatments are experimental. Michigan law doesn't mandate coverage for such therapies.
"Time is a real factor, in this case," said Gerard Mantese, Johns' lawyer. "Children with autism who are between 2 and 7 can make great progress with these programs. We want to move forward as fast as we can." There's no cure for autism, but research shows that early intervention through intensive therapies and other services can improve development, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Detroit
Judge tells Blues to respond to parents' bid for therapy coverage or case will proceed.
Jennifer Chambers / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- A federal court judge was poised Thursday to grant class-action status to a lawsuit by parents of autistic children who want Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan to pay for behavioral therapy, but agreed to give the insurer more time to file a response in the case.
U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy told Blue Cross attorney Scott Hamilton that because there was no response from Blue Cross on the record as to why he should oppose class certification, he was willing to grant the motion. But because he was impressed with Hamilton's earlier arguments, he would allow the attorney time to file a response.
"Otherwise I will grant that motion as unopposed," Murphy said.
Christopher Johns, a Warren father whose 7-year-old son is autistic, is suing Blue Cross on behalf of people who have been denied claims on the basis that applied behavioral analysis treatment for their autistic child is experimental. Johns filed the suit in federal court in May and is seeking a class action because more than 7,000 children in Michigan have autism, a neurological disorder that can cause children to become withdrawn, nonverbal and avoid eye contact.
Data from the federal government shows that 1 in 150 American children has the disorder.
Officials with the insurance group have said long-term studies on autism educational therapies have been inconclusive and the treatments are experimental. Michigan law doesn't mandate coverage for such therapies.
"Time is a real factor, in this case," said Gerard Mantese, Johns' lawyer. "Children with autism who are between 2 and 7 can make great progress with these programs. We want to move forward as fast as we can." There's no cure for autism, but research shows that early intervention through intensive therapies and other services can improve development, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Oklahoma Democrats say GOP protecting insurance companies.
By Ron Jenkins/Associated Press Writer
Published: February 26, 2009
Oklahoma Senate Democrats are charging that Republicans are taking the side of insurance companies over the needs of their constituents.
Democratic leaders held a news conference Thursday to decry decisions by GOP leaders not to hear their insurance-related bills, including a measure to require insurance companies to cover autism in their health care policies.
Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, said Republicans are forsaking their pro-family ideals by killing insurance bills that help families dealing with critical health care needs.
Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee called the Democratic comments "over the top" and not helpful to their cause.
Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said he is still hopeful a compromise can be worked out that will improve the plight of families with autistic children.
He criticized Gumm for saying Republicans had "put a gun to children's heads" by not passing Gumm's autism mandate bill. Such comments, Coffee said, are counterproductive.
Gumm said earlier he was "absolutely aghast" that autism coverage had become a partisan issue in Oklahoma, when it had been passed in other states such as Louisiana with backing from Republicans.
Democrats said Republicans have shown a pattern in recent years of summarily rejecting legislation opposed by the insurance industry.
In defeating such bills, GOP lawmakers have generally said mandates sought by Democrats would drive up the cost of insurance too much.
"It's not our obligation in the Senate to make sure the insurance companies make money," said Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah.
Coffee said it was not like Republicans are not saying the insurance companies do not have faults and "all wear white hats."
He said Democrats are not giving enough credit to a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Steele, R-Shawnee, to increase the number of providers of autism services in the state.
He said Steele's bill will be the vehicle for any compromise that can be worked out on autism.
Published: February 26, 2009
Oklahoma Senate Democrats are charging that Republicans are taking the side of insurance companies over the needs of their constituents.
Democratic leaders held a news conference Thursday to decry decisions by GOP leaders not to hear their insurance-related bills, including a measure to require insurance companies to cover autism in their health care policies.
Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, said Republicans are forsaking their pro-family ideals by killing insurance bills that help families dealing with critical health care needs.
Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee called the Democratic comments "over the top" and not helpful to their cause.
Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said he is still hopeful a compromise can be worked out that will improve the plight of families with autistic children.
He criticized Gumm for saying Republicans had "put a gun to children's heads" by not passing Gumm's autism mandate bill. Such comments, Coffee said, are counterproductive.
Gumm said earlier he was "absolutely aghast" that autism coverage had become a partisan issue in Oklahoma, when it had been passed in other states such as Louisiana with backing from Republicans.
Democrats said Republicans have shown a pattern in recent years of summarily rejecting legislation opposed by the insurance industry.
In defeating such bills, GOP lawmakers have generally said mandates sought by Democrats would drive up the cost of insurance too much.
"It's not our obligation in the Senate to make sure the insurance companies make money," said Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah.
Coffee said it was not like Republicans are not saying the insurance companies do not have faults and "all wear white hats."
He said Democrats are not giving enough credit to a bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Steele, R-Shawnee, to increase the number of providers of autism services in the state.
He said Steele's bill will be the vehicle for any compromise that can be worked out on autism.
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