Our Children With Autism Cannot Wait For Treatment Coverage!!!! More Delays May Be Ahead! Act Now: Public Input Needed!
HB 2918, Oregon's Health Insurance Mandate for Pervasive Developmental Disorders, instructed the Health Resources Commission (HRC) to conduct a review of available medical and behavioral health evidence on the treatment of pervasive developmental disorders. The HRC Subcommittee on Autism Spectrum Disorders has put into the public domain a draft report. Their final report on "Effectiveness of Treatments for ASD" should be completed by September 2008. The HRC report on ASD will be presented to the legislature in January 2009.
Contrary to what other states have found, the HRC subcommittee draft report indicates insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of ANY treatment for autism except for two: Secretin and DTT for language acquisition - which they found NOT to be effective! In other words, they found insufficient evidence for therapies like ABA, RDI, gluten-free/casein-free diets, Son-Rise, TEACCH, auditory integration, PECS, social skill groups, and music therapy.
With one in 89 children in Oregon diagnosed with ASD, Oregon should lead the nation in policy making. Instead, we may be the last state to pass legislation that our children and families so desperately need. The subcommittee and legislators need to hear from families who are finding success in the treatments they have chosen for their children with autism. Don't let this report set us back in Oregon! Your input is needed now!
Write the HRC subcommittee members today using the form below, and share your personal stories of how treatment has helped your child. If you have time, write your legislators too and let them know how much passing legislation that covers your child's treatments would help your child. Tell them your child cannot wait! Professionals and other stakeholders should submit any information, research or commentary that may help the HRC subcommittee as they compile their final report.
Please use the comment box below to send your story to the Health Resources Commission's Subcommittee on ASD. We have included some talking points to consider. For the complete draft report, click here.
The HRC ASD report will guide legislators in their policy making during the 2009 legislative session. The content of this report is very important to every person with autism, their families, and those who work with individuals with ASD because it impacts public services and health insurance coverage! Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas have all passed health insurance laws covering autism. These mandates include coverage not only for speech, occupational and physical therapy, but also for applied behavior analysis. In Texas, supplements are being covered too! These other states found the evidence supports applied behavior analysis as an effective treatment for autism and some other treatments as well. Please see the Pennsylvania Autism Panel Report here.
Families are going bankrupt paying out of pocket for treatment that should be covered by their health insurance and Medicaid. The hardships and challenges we face in Oregon in obtaining treatment should not continue. If the HRC Subcommittee on ASD report goes forward with little change, there is a good chance that our legislators may wait until there is further research before passing a comprehensive autism mandate for health insurance coverage. Don't let this happen in Oregon! We cannot delay comprehensive health insurance coverage for our children!
Talking Points:
-
Oregon cannot delay treatment for autism and health insurance coverage for treatment any longer. Our children cannot wait! Families cannot wait!
-
Other states have found sufficient evidence to recommend coverage for applied behavior analysis as well as some other treatments. With one in 89 children on the autism spectrum in Oregon, our state should be a leader in policy making. Instead, policy makers in Oregon may delay passing important legislation mandating comprehensive insurance coverage for ASD.
-
Research indicates that children who receive effective intervention early can make great gains, even dramatic gains and need less support or no support in adulthood. Furthermore, effective treatment early results in significant cost savings over the lifetime of an individual with autism.
-
Many families face financial ruin and marital strain because of the lack of insurance and Medicaid coverage for treatment.
Contact information:
Health Resources Commission Hrc.Info@state.or.us