Bad Autism Federal Legislation

[SummerBreeze457]

I am passing along this information to all the families I know who have children with autism.

Please visit a new website to help inform parents of children with autism around the country about some federal legislation that Illinois senator, Richard Durbin, is about to introduce. It could impact us all. Please take the time to read this material. The proposed legislation as it currently exists will restrict access to health care for our children with autism. http://www.changeforautism.com/ I want to mention that this legislation will be moving very quickly after the inauguration. Please get familiar with the legislation, because you will want to contact your senators and representatives to voice your concerns about the legislation.

Please forward this information and website to other families you know who have children with autism. Thanks so much!

 

Here is a little information about the federal legislation that is about to be introduced:

Essentially, right now there  is a proposed federal bill in draft form that may establish the Medical Home Model as the way of the future for health care, particularly for Autism and other chronic diseases. In essence the MHM is a government run HMO where they along with insurance companies will have the authority to choose our service providers (you know, doctors, therapists, and medical specialists) via government contracts. Actually, it seems it may be even more restrictive in choice than most HMO's. 

More upsetting with regard to Autism, under the draft bill, the very organizations who have routinely denied the most recent physical findings and medical treatments that help many of our children and have continually denied to support research into causation of ASD, may have the authority to define exactly what treatment those service providers are allowed to provide in the first place.  Think about how many pediatricians have you seen (that weren't DAN) that you would trust to handle all of your child's medical treatment and to take decision making control for the treatments your child could receive?

The website again for more information is  http://www.changeforautism.com/ and also check out http://www.ageofautism.com/2009/01/money-to-burn.html

[sunshine31]

I just recieved a thing from my son's teacher that the State Of Illinois requires all health insurance companies to cover services for those who are autistic or on the spectrum.  Is this bill the same thing as the law that was passed in illinois?

[SummerBreeze457]

This is something totally new that is coming up.  They want to pass legislation that would give each family a "case manager" telling us what services and which doctors our children would need.  It would kind of be like how an HMO works, but worse.  There are groups out there trying to stop this legislation.  I will keep you updates as I hear more.