Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Hosemann supports autism bills

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann issued the following statement:


Every child deserves a chance...

10,000 children are affected by autism in Mississippi and none are covered by insurance for the most recommended treatment. Thirty-eight other states have adopted insurance coverage for autism.

Please take a moment to read statements from parents and professionals who work with this issue.

We ask you to support the Autism bill. The following are dates, times, and room numbers for committee meetings at the Capitol this week in which the Autism Insurance Bill should be brought up for a vote:

*Tuesday, January 27th at 1:00 pm in Room 402 - House Insurance Committee
*Wednesday, January 28th at 2:00 pm in Room 210 - Senate Insurance Committee

"After seeking a . . . BCBA, my brother at the age of about 12 began to use approximations to request preferred items as well as attempt to feed himself, urinate in the toilet, bathe himself, dress himself, etc. . . Although we were truly blessed to have such help, I began to notice that my father was never around. The reason being was...he worked. He worked all day every day in order to provide for his child with special needs. . ." --Amber Orman, BCBA, West Point, MS

"As a single mom I am still struggling with healthcare issues for my son who currently needs other treatment to assist with his condition. I am having to make hard decisions and go without needed medical services and pay for medical bills for which I did not have coverage when our health insurance was denied...We need your help."--Melinda Todd, Parent, Jackson, MS

"You can imagine the...blow when you find out that the insurance you have paid for does not cover anything for your child. Then, to find out that you basically have to move to find the only therapy program available, is in Jackson, and even then, no insurance coverage, just money up front."--Elizabeth Cobb, Parent, Madison, MS

"Time is not on the side of the children diagnosed with autism. My family moved from Georgia to Fulton, MS to help in any way that we could. The need was so great that the Autism Center of North Mississippi was born. We can barely provide services due to lack of insurance coverage. The majority of our families live below the median income level and struggle to pay for gas to come to our center, much less pay for behavior analytic therapy. This bill must pass so that the children can get the help that they need without causing a hardship on the family. Autism is hard enough!!!"--Sharon Boudreaux, BCBA, Tupelo, MS

"The lack of programs and resources for children on the Autism Spectrum in our state is underwhelming to say the least, while right here in our backyard at UMMC, Dr. Rik Lin and his team are performing groundbreaking research into the causes of ASD, How tragic if this research being conducted in our world renown facilities cannot help the families who live right here!"--Frances Rooks Patterson, Special Olympics, Madison, MS

"We were determined to help our little girl come out of her own distant world, and come into ours. Alayna has been receiving the ABA therapy now for a little over four years. . . . She continues to progress and we are amazed to see how much she has changed since she first began therapy in 2010." --Angela Tate, Parent, Pontotoc, MS

"In 2009, my brother, John, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. He could not communicate his wants and needs with me or my family. Instead, he would bang his head, hit, bite, and scream. His aggression and self-injury was completely overwhelming...Within months of therapy, John began showing improvements. Even the smallest gain had the biggest impact on our family."--Haley Wood, BCBA, Tupelo, MS

"Children who would have never dreamed of attending college, if provided treatment early and in an intensive manner, many children will not only attend, but also graduate from college and move on to a rewarding career and life. By not providing treatment early in their lives, we stack the deck against them, and our entire state, who will (in one way or the other) be responsible for their lifelong care."--Dr. James Moore, Visiting Assistant, USM, Hattiesburg, MS

"Without early intervention, children with ASD suffer isolation, unemployment, high rates of comorbid mental illness and institutionalization, and poor school achievement. Not only would passing this legislation make an incredible impact on the lives of children with ASD in the state of Mississippi, but it would ultimately save taxpayers money. In a study conducted by Chasson, Harris, and Neely (2007), it was found that the state of Texas would save $208,500 per child with ASD across 18 years of education if early intensive behavioral interventions were implemented. Using a conservative estimate of 4500 children with ASD in the state of Mississippi, based on 2012 NACCRRA estimates of 287,047 children aged 5 to 11 in the state and recent CDC findings that 1 in 64 children has an autism spectrum disorder, Mississippi would save approximately $935,145,304.00 by mandating insurance coverage for early intensive behavioral interventions."--Dr. Keith Radley, Assistant Professor, USM, Hattiesburg, MS

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is "BCBA"?

Touchy Feely Politicians said...

Of course we probably all feel the same way; however, what has the Secretary of State's support got to do with anything other than being a political stunt?

Or is it like, "You know, I was considering whether or not to support autism bills but now that I see Dogbert is supporting them, I guess I will too."

I heard him and Feel Brant on the radio the other day asking people to contribute money to a specific charity. Stunts.

Anonymous said...

Great for out Sec of State - again getting his mug into something that has absolutely nothing to do with his office.

Granted, he now has an interest in this because it affects his family. Wonder if he would have supported this bill and issued this press release a couple of years ago?

Anonymous said...

It's all political. Delbert only cares about Delbert.

Anonymous said...

It's all political.

Board certified behavioral analysts (BCBAs) want to be able to charge insurance for care. Trouble is, they are not regulated by any state licensing board. Not by psychology, not by medicine, not by social work. Blue Cross is behind this because they can pay the BCBAs less, thus saving money.

Anonymous said...

I am not Delberts biggest fan, but he's doing it because autism affects one of his grandchildren.

My prediction is Tate Reeves is going to kill it because Delbert is smeared all over it.

Anonymous said...

4:30 Thanks for the explanation. I $uspected $omething like that.

Anonymous said...

Dogbert (Mr. Ego) wants to set up a regulation board IN HIS office to regulate these folks?!?!? The same Dogbert that doesn't believe in boards & commissions?!?!? Come on Digbert, you have plenty to do (or plenty you should be doing). Stay out if others lanes!



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