Comments on: Getting Autism Legislation Passed—and Funded

By: What’s Medically Necessary?

What’s Medically Necessary? — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:44:57 +0000

[...] pay for treatments for autistic children—-has been a regular topic; a number of states have passed legislation (or not passed legislation) requiring that private insurance companies provide for [...]

By: Autism Miracle

Autism Miracle — Wed, 14 May 2008 04:58:00 +0000

Hello..
The current research on Autism shows that a well-trained professional can diagnose Autism when a child is around 18-months old….!!!

By: Katherine

Katherine — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:07:28 +0000

Hi Kristina,

I am still making my calls, hoping for something. But I am even less hopeful than before. The legislature ends this week. The insurance issue aside, the cuts this legislatrue is considering making to other programs for Floridians with disabilities is downright scary.

Politics is very complicated business. Maybe we should move to New Jersey, but my husband has tenure here!

Katherine

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:19:25 +0000

House Bill Number 958 —legislation for insurance coverage for autistic children in Louisiana—was discussed today.

By: Regan

Regan — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:29:46 +0000

I haven’t done a close run-through recently, but the quickie is that the coverage varies, but many of the bills that I have seen run through adolescence, with one, Michigan? (don’t quote me), asking for coverage through 22.
But the short version is that these are not policies for adults. I think the intent is to establish baseline coverage for young children and to supplement that not covered by IDEA and/or Medicaid (not all states have Medicaid waivers/TEFRA).

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:46:42 +0000

thanks for this. I need to review each state’s legislation for insurance but do most cover mostly/only children and not adults who are still dependent on their parents, or on their parents’ insurance?

By: Regan

Regan — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:26:00 +0000

Hmmm.
So the public budget is not available, but disallow private coverage until public budget is available?
The state does realize that adult costs may very well be involved in the future, right?
—————-
That ERISA bill is still in Congress, and I got an email today about these bills seeking co-sponsors,
Financial Security Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities (FSAID)

Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) introduced the Financial Security Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2007 (HR 2370) in the House and Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the companion bill, Financial Security Accounts for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2008 (S 2743), in the Senate. Both of these bills would establish tax-exempt financial security accounts for individuals with intellectual disabilities and not jeopardize benefits.

I guess if the buck passing continues now, we had better start planning for the future. I have not looked yet to see how these compare with setting up trusts or other, since I am not a lawyer of any ilk. Just FYI.