Missouri Autism Coalition

Autism Health Coverage in Missouri

Hearing to be held Tuesday, April 15 at the Capitol

House bills regarding autism insurance coverage in Missouri will be heard in the Committee on Health Care Policy on Tuesday, April 15.  Those wanting to submit testimony (“for” or “against”) can email either of the bill sponsors:

Rep. Jeff Grisamore:  jeff.grisamore@house.mo.gov

Rep.  Sam Page:   Sam.Page@house.mo.gov

Links to Bills regarding autism insurance coverage:

HB 2265  Requires health benefit plans to include coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders   

HB 2351 Requires certain health carriers to provide insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder under certain conditions  (Similar to SB 1229)

Missouri Autism Legislative Overview

April 12, 2008

Behavior Modification Plans Needed in Jeff City?

Many of us in the autism community spend a great deal of our time trying to modify behavior:  reinforcing desired behaviors and trying to extinguish or replace the undesired ones.  It seems that the Missouri state legislature might need some behavior modification plans for their own members.  This week, the “undesired behaviors” emerged in Jefferson City, with yelling, screaming, tantrums, and even a little pushing and shoving.  And, no, it wasn’t in a special education classroom.  The nastiness ensued in the capitol in the House chamber this week, some in the name of autism. 

The controversial special needs/autism tax credit bills earned their day of infamy this legislative session when the House took up floor debate over whether the tax credit issue could be tacked on to a larger bill involving teacher salary increases.  The House supporters of the tax credit scholarship bill were not successful in their attempt to put the two bills together, as the House voted to strip off the tax credit amendment.  The unpleasantries followed with plenty of bitter words all around.

Click here for “real” news articles and coverage
St. Louis Post Dispatch coverage from April 11, 2008

Good news for the legislature:  Behavior modification programs are available in Missouri! 

Bad news:  The providers are few, the waiting lists are LONG and insurance doesn’t cover a penny!

Written by G.K. Luetkemeyer
An “Autism Mom” in the Capitol City

The Joplin Globe discusses Panel Report

Editorial in Joplin Globe discusses Blue Ribbon Panel

Link to Editorial from December 31, 2007

The report of a blue-ribbon panel commissioned by Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, and the funding recommendations proposed by Gov. Matt Blunt will be the launching platforms for discussion in the Missouri Legislature on how to improve services for autistic children.
Improved diagnostic techniques over the past two decades have resulted in identifying an increasing number of children as autistic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one of every 150 children has a form of autism that impairs his or her ability to communicate and interact, and causes repetitive behavior.
Autistic children can be helped. Providing that assistance clearly is the purpose of the 36 recommendations made by the special panel to state lawmakers and the funding increase that will be sought by Gov. Blunt. During the upcoming session, legislators will be asked to find out how best to improve access for available services to parents and their autistic children, and how much funding will be necessary.
Not all of the recommendations are likely to make it through the General Assembly this session. But all should get a thorough hearing.
Among the proposals that should be implemented quickly are forming a statewide commission on autism spectrum disorders to make its own recommendations to the state's chief executive and solons for integrating training, treatment and services, and hiring a full-time employee for the Office of Autism Services to coordinate with other state agencies.
We applaud Gibbons, Sen. Scott Rupp, who led the special panel that drafted the recommendations, and Gov. Blunt for recommending more money for professional services. It will be a good beginning. As the parent of a child now living independently with an assistant in Springfield said: "If she had been diagnosed earlier, she could be a taxpayer instead of a person receiving benefits."