CDCAN REPORT #169-2011: Rally for autism health insurance mandate bill today at 12 noon

FAMILIES, ADVOCATES TO GATHER TODAY AT STATE CAPITOL 12 NOON FOR RALLY & PRESS CONFERENCE TO URGE GOVERNOR TO SIGN LANDMARK AUTISM HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM MANDATE BILL (SB 946)

Another Rally Scheduled in Berkeley On September 30th 11 AM At Ed Roberts Campus - Governor Has Until October 9th To Sign or Veto Bills Sent To Him By Legislature - Position on SB 946 Uncertain

SACRAMENTO, CALIF (CDCAN)  [Last updated 09/26/2011 09:00 AM] - Families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other disability advocates will join Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (Democrat - Sacramento) at a press conference and rally today, (Monday), September 26th, at 12 noon at the West Steps (facing 10th Street) of the State Capitol to urge Governor Brown to sign SB 946, legislation which requires private health plans and insurance companies to provide coverage of behavioral health treatment for individuals with autism.  Sen. Steinberg will be available to answer any questions from any media who are at the rally today.

A similar rally is scheduled for September 30th, Friday at 11:00 AM in the Bay Area at the Ed Roberts Campus (inside atrium), at 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley.

The Legislature passed SB 946  in the final days of its 2011 Legislative session, that advocates say is a landmark bill in protecting the rights of children and adults with disabilities.  The Governor's position  on the bill is not certain.   

Issue - and Bill Has Drawn Major Controversy on Need for Critical Services for Autism and Other Disorders

Families of children with autism spectrum and other disorders and other advocates say the legislation is critical - especially during a time of massive budget reductions, with more cuts likely - and will result in savings to the State's general fund of over $100 million.  Advocates and supporters of the bill say the bill is necessary because of continued denied insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment (including behavioral treatments) by private health plans and insurance companies.  SB 946 would establish a new requirement or mandate that would, supporters say, end what they call is a ongoing "discriminatory practice" by those private health plans and insurance companies. Supporters say the new requirement is "fair" because of ongoing deep and permanent cuts made in the past 10 years by the State to critical services and supports for infants, children and adults with developmental and other disabilities, the blind, people with mental health needs, seniors, and to the community-based providers, facilities and workers who provide those services.

The issue also has direct impact to local school districts special education programs and the 21 non-profit regional centers who coordinate services and supports to over 240,000 persons with developmental disabilities.

The issue - depending on how it is resolved - also impacts other community-based services and supports for children and adults with disabilities, mental health needs, the blind and seniors, with the State - and Federal governments - implementing deep permanent new reductions - with more likely to come in 2012.

The bill is strongly opposed by private health plans and insurance companies who believe the required benefits in SB 946 are not medical or health related and should be covered by other entities.  Some groups oppose the bill because it exempts those who are covered under government funded programs such as Medi-Cal and Healthy Families or would change existing settlements impacting coverage of some children and others.  Opponents of the bill also disagree with supporters of the bill who claim there will be a major savings to the State general fund, and instead say that SB 946 will result in higher insurance premiums and costs to all those covered under private health plans and insurance.  Supporters of the bill strongly disagree.

Details of September 26 Rally In Support of SB 946

When: 12 Noon, Monday September 26th, 2011
Where: West Steps of the Capitol (facing 10th Street between N and L Streets)

Brief Remarks:

• Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (Democrat - Sacramento)
• Areva Martin, parent of a son with ASD and President of the Special Needs Network
• Feda Almaliti, parent of a young son with ASD and Executive Director of Autism Health Advocates
• Joan Schmidt, parent of an adult son with ASD and CEO of Creative Living Options which provides independent living support
• Ruben Ramirez, father of young child with ASD and member of Fiesta Educativa, an organization dedicated to assisting Latino families with special needs children (remarks given in Spanish)
• Kristin Jacobson, Alliance of California Autism Organizations
• Shelley Hendrix, parent of a teenage son with ASD, Director Grass Roots Development, National Autism Speaks
• John Matthias: parent of a child with ASD; Regional Advocacy Director for Autism Speaks; and Co-Founder of the Alliance of California Autism Organizations
• Marty Omoto, Director of the California Disability Community Action Network