AUTISM INSURANCE MANDATE SIGNED INTO LAW!
June 29, 2009
Gov. Jim Doyle signed the autism insurance mandate into law today as part of the 2009-11 state budget! Hooray! The law will take effect in 5 months, and in the meantime, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance will be drafting rules to implement the new mandate. The law requires a minimum of $50,000/year for intensive level services and $25,000/year for nonintensive services.
Please take time to thank the legislative champions who made this new law possible — Rep. Kim Hixson, Sen. Judy Robson, and last, but certainly not least, GOV. JIM DOYLE!
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June 26, 2009
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY REACH BUDGET AGREEMENT; AUTISM INSURANCE MANDATE ON GOVERNOR’S DESK!!!!
The Senate and Assembly have reached an agreement on the state budget, and the bill includes the Assembly version of the autism insurance mandate which requires at least $50,000/year for intensive services and $25,000/year for nonintensive services.
The budget bill is now on Gov. Doyle’s desk awaiting his signature and Doyle is expected to sign the bill early next week!!!
Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this bill become a reality, including attending and testifying at legislative hearings and contacting lawmakers to express your support.
We owe a great deal of gratitude to our legislative champions, Sen. Judy Robson and Rep. Kim Hixson! Please take time to thank both of them again. We wouldn’t be here today without their steadfast support.
Please also thank our biggest champion, Gov. Jim Doyle, who has fought for the autism insurance mandate for the past two sessions.
Please watch for another posting when the budget bill is signed.
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June 18, 2009
STATE SENATE PASSED AUTISM INSURANCE MANDATE
The Wisconsin State Senate passed the autism insurance mandate as part of the 2009-11 state budget last evening! The Senate passed the language contained in Senate Substitute amendment 1 to SB3 which sets the floors of coverage at $60K for intensive level services, and $30K for nonintensive services. Please contact our Senate legislative champion, Sen. Judy Robson of Beloit, and thank her for her strong support and advocacy on behalf of the autism community. She can be reached at: 608-266-2253 or Sen.Robson@legis.wisconsin.gov.
The houses will soon begin a conference committee to negotiate differences between the Assembly and Senate versions of the state budget bill, including the autism insurance mandate. The Legislature and Governor are still aiming to have the budget bill signed into law by June 30.
Stay tuned for more updates.
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June 13, 2009
AUTISM INSURANCE MANDATE PASSES STATE ASSEMBLY
The Wisconsin State Assembly passed the autism insurance mandate early Saturday morning as part of the 2009-11 state budget. The Assembly modified the coverage amounts to $50K for intensive services and $25K for non-intensive services. If you have a moment, please thank Rep. Kim Hixson, our legislative champion, for all of his efforts to ensure passage in the State Assembly. He can be reached at: 608-266-9650 or Rep.Hixson@legis.wisconsin.gov.
The budget bill now advances to the State Senate for consideration. Governor Doyle and the Legislature are still aiming to have the bill signed into law by June 30.
Stay tuned for information on Senate action.
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May 29, 2009
AUTISM INSURANCE MANDATE PASSES JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Autism Community Praises Committee and Legislative Champions
Madison, Wisconsin…Members of the greater autism community including support groups, advocates and treatment providers applauded the Joint Committee on Finance today for voting in favor of language to require group insurance policies to cover treatment for those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
“The Joint Committee on Finance, under the leadership of co-chairs Pocan and Miller, voted today in support of families living with autism,” said Amy Masek, co-chair of Wisconsin Autism Insurance Now (WAIN). “We appreciate that the committee recognizes that families impacted with autism should receive the same treatment by the insurance industry that other medical conditions enjoy.”
Research shows that early intensive behavioral treatment, a program that begins treating children in their toddler years can drastically improve outcomes for children and some lose their medical diagnosis all together. Children who successfully go through the early behavioral intervention program may enter a regular school setting - at an age appropriate grade - with no need for special education.
Unfortunately, there are nearly 300 Wisconsin children with autism on the waiting list to receive autism treatment services through the state waiver program. Passage of the mandate will move families with group coverage off the waiting list and into private insurance coverage which will free up waiver slots for families who do not have group coverage. According to the Department of Health Services, if the language is enacted this year, the waiting list will be eliminated by FY 2011.
“Enactment of this policy will ensure that children promptly receive the early intensive services they so desperately need, and will assist those who require services beyond early intervention,” said Nissan Bar-Lev, ASW President.
The language passed by the committee mirrors language from the substitute amendments of SB 3 and AB 15 introduced by champions of the autism community, Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit) and Rep. Kim Hixson (D-Whitewater).
“The autism community offers a great deal of gratitude to Governor Doyle, the bill’s authors Sen. Judy Robson and Rep. Kim Hixson, and legislative leaders Speaker Mike Sheridan and Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker for their steadfast support for the autism mandate,” Bar-Lev said.
Wisconsin Autism Insurance Now (WAIN) is a coalition of advocates, families and providers who support legislation that requires insurance companies to cover autism services. The group is dedicated to educating legislators about the critical need for insurance coverage for autism in Wisconsin and advocating for passage of such legislation. WAIN members include: Autism Society of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Early Autism Project, Friends of Autism, Wiebusch-Nicholson Center for Autism, Beyond Boundaries of Autism, Autism Behavioral Network, Autism Intervention Milwaukee, ANGEL Network, Fox Valley Autism Treatment Program, Reaching Your Potential, Innovative Counseling, Inc., Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin, Autism Society of Greater Madison, Autism Society of the Lakeshore (Two Rivers/Manitowoc), Autism Society of the Fox Valley, Chippewa Valley Autism Society, Central Wisconsin Autism Society, and Autism Society of Northeastern Wisconsin.
Autism Society of Wisconsin’s (ASW) mission is to improve the lives of all affected by autism in Wisconsin. Currently there are local chapters in Appleton, Chippewa Valley, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, Wausau and the Two Rivers/Manitowoc areas. The Autism Society of Wisconsin office is located in Menasha. The Milwaukee area chapter also maintains an office.
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May 21 Advocacy Day CANCELLED
May 12, 2009
Due to scheduling conflicts, the Advocacy Day scheduled for Thursday, May 21 is cancelled and will be re-scheduled at another date.
Update on the autism insurance bill:
We started off this legislative session with a bang! Governor Jim Doyle, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker and Speaker Sheridan all came together to support the autism community and committed to passing and enacting legislation that will mandate autism insurance coverage this legislative session.
The autism insurance bill was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit) as SB 3, and in the Assembly by Rep. Kim Hixson (D-Whitewater) as AB 15. A substitute amendment was immediately introduced to amend both bills to tighten up the language and add speech and language and occupational therapy services. The substitute amendment can be found at the following link: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/SB3-SSA1.pdf.
Both bills were given a public hearing in their respective houses, and the autism community showed up in droves to support the bill! The Senate Public Health Committee unanimously voted in support of the substitute amendment, and the bill has now been referred to the Joint Committee on Finance due to its fiscal estimate.
The Legislature is currently deliberating on the 2009-11 state budget and will likely complete action around July. We have been told by leaders in both houses that the bill will be considered in the context of the state budget – either included in the state budget or accounted for and considered immediately after the state budget.
Nissan Bar-Lev and Amy Masek
Wisconsin Autism Insurance Now Co-Chairs
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February 26, 2009
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON AUTISM LEGISLATION
Rep. Newcomer and Rep. Petersen are currently circulating a proposal they are supporting in lieu of the autism insurance mandate. Their proposal would require distribution of autism-related information to parents, fund the waiting list, and create a licensure of autism paraprofessionals. While the autism community supports any and all efforts to help families with autism, such as waiver funding, this bill does not replace the autism insurance mandate which is a long-term solution to a growing problem. Below is a response from WAIN co-chairs regarding the Newcomer/Petersen proposal. A copy of the Newcomer/Petersen plan will be posted as soon as it becomes available.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON AUTISM LEGISLATION
By Nissan Bar-Lev and Amy Masek
WAIN co-chairs
Robson/Hixson bills (SB 3 and AB 15) are a long term solution, whereas Petersen/Newcomer suggestions are at best a one year band-aid.
THE PROBLEM:
In 2003, due to budget constraints, the state briefly considered a proposal to completely eliminate autism treatment program. After hearing loud and clear from the autism community, the state reconsidered this position and instead cut costs by changing the program from a fee-for-service program to a waiver program. In making this change, the state implemented many cost containment measures such as capping the number of hours of service families could receive, and implementing a waiting list. The waiting list grows every year, and currently 335 children are waiting for services.
As these children wait for services, their window of opportunity to achieve best outcomes passes by. Research shows that early intensive behavioral treatment, a program that begins treating children in their toddler years, has a dramatic impact and can improve outcomes to render some children indistinguishable from their peers after treatment. Many lose their diagnosis and require no special education or support services upon entering school. Others make more moderate gains but learn critical skills that allow them to attend school, make friends and be safely integrated into
their communities.
THE RIGHT SOLUTION:
Senator Judy Robson and Rep. Kim Hixson have introduced legislation to require group and government insurance policies to cover autism treatment services. It is important to note that the state only has the authority to regulate these policies. The state does not have the authority to regulate self-insured plans, or plans that are offered by some large companies who take on the risk themselves. If this bill were signed into law, approximately 30% of Wisconsin families those who have group and government insurance coverage will move from receiving services from the state waiver program (or off the waiting list), to receiving services through their insurance plans.
When 30% of families move from the waiver program (or waiting list), the number of families who need services through the state waiver program are reduced, and slots become available for families on the waiting list (who do not have group insurance or government insurance coverage) to immediately receive services through the state waiver program. If the bill is signed into law, DHS estimates that by next year, the waiting list will be eliminated and no children will be waiting for services. This means, 100% of children will be receiving services either through insurance coverage, or through the state waiver program.
The Robson/Hixson bill is the right solution because it relieves pressure off the consistently cash-strapped state waiver program and doesn¹t rely on future legislatures to authorize additional funding for treatment services. The Robson/Hixson plan is a long term solution to a growing problem. Furthermore, this proposal sets the bar for all insurance coverage. History has shown that self-insurance plans that are not regulated by the state have often times followed suit on providing coverage that is mandated of group plans (even though they are not legally bound to do so).
THE WRONG SOLUTION:
Petersen/Newcomer propose to use state dollars to cover the cost of the children that are currently on the waiting list. While both plans take care of the waiting list, the Petersen/Newcomer plan is at best, a temporary fix to the waiting list that grows every year. There are no guarantees that the state will continue to fund the ever-growing waiting list and people with autism can¹t be left in limbo, or risk an interruption in services. Given the severity of the state budget deficit, this is a major concern. In previous sessions, the Legislature has already showed they are willing to reduce services and cap the number of slots when they created the waiver program. A child¹s progress and optimal outcomes are devastated when they have to wait for services or receive reduced hours of treatment.
On the other hand, the Robson/Hixson legislation is a long term solution that moves 30% of families permanently off of the waiver program/waiting list and into private insurance coverage. Furthermore, the Robson/Hixson plan provides more coverage for adults with autism who may require services beyond early intensive intervention. Whereas under the Petersen/Newcomer plan, services are only covered until age 21.
The purpose of insurance is to spread the risk among policyholders. Families impacted with autism should not be discriminated against. They deserve the same treatment by the insurance industry that other medical conditions enjoy. Nineteen other states have passed autism insurance mandates that require private insurance coverage. There is no reason insurance companies should not be covering autism treatment services in Wisconsin too.
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February 10, 2009
Senate Committee Unanimously Votes in Favor of Autism Bill; Assembly Committee Hearing Scheduled
After an outstanding turnout of family, friends and avocates of the autism community, the Senate Public Health Committee voted unanimously in favor of SB 3, the autism insurance bill! Thank you to all of those who testified at yesterday’s hearing — it really made the difference! The bill was amended in committee with Senate Substitute Amendment 1, which includes minimum coverage amounts of $60,000 for intensive treatment and $30,000 for post-intensive treatment. The amendment also includes treatment by speech and language pathologists and occupational therapists.
The Assembly Insurance Committee has scheduled a hearing on AB 15 (the identical Assembly version of the bill) on Thursday, February 19, at 10:00 am in the Capitol Building, room 417N. Please attend the hearing and register your support for AB 15! Special thanks to Rep. Kim Hixson (D-Whitewater), our lead Assembly author, for his leadership on the autism insurance bill in the Assembly.
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January 29, 2009
Senate Hearing Scheduled on SB 3, Autism Insurance Bill
Sen. Tim Carpenter, chair of the Senate Public Health Committee, has scheduled a hearing on SB 3, the autism insurance bill. The hearing will take place on Monday, February 9 at 10:00 am in room 411S in the State Capitol building. Please attend and register your support for SB 3!
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January 14, 2008
Autism Insurance Bill Introduced in the Senate
Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit) re-introduced legislation this session to require insurance companies to cover autism services. The bill was introduced as SB 3, and has been referred to the Senate Public Health Committee. You can view the legislation at the following link http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/SB3hst.html. Stay tuned for information on public hearings and an opportunity to testify in support of the legislation. Special thanks to Sen. Judy Robson for her efforts on behalf of families with autism.
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December 10, 2008
Governor, Senate Majority Leader Pledge Passage of Autism Insurance Bill
In recent interviews with reporters, both Gov. Doyle and Sen. Majority Leader Russ Decker indicated that passage of an autism insurance mandate is on their priority lists for the upcoming 2009-10 Legislative Session. For more information, see the article links below.
Doyle’s Plans Bolstered By Democratic Legislature: http://www.madison.com/tct/news/313098
Senate Leader Talk Budget Difficulties: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=142248