The Oregon SB1 Advisory Committee has
scheduled a meeting with a presentation on AUTISM
**ACTION
ALERT-please forward to anyone who would be interested or
affected
THANK YOU**
Monday, March 13, 2006
1-3pm
Room 260 Labor & Industry Building
350 Winter St NE
Salem, Oregon
Map
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=350+Winter+St+NE&csz=Salem%C+OR&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
Detailed directions and parking info--about 2/3 down the page
http://www.oregon.gov/DCBS/directions.shtml#Directions___Maps
Background: The SB1 Advisory
Committee is developing Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) resulting
from the Mental Health Parity Law passed in 2005. The Committee is
addressing various aspects of health insurance coverage--including
allowed treatments and exclusions to coverage. The outcome of these OARs
will impact how and what is covered in health insurance policies under
the category of DSM-IV-TR and ICD-9 disorders. While the work of the
Committee is not widely publicized, the impact of these recommendations
and OARs will be immediately signifcant to those seeking and receiving
coverage under health insurance plans---this is too important to leave
to chance, and the time for testimony is NOW.
If you know any other
stakeholders who are unaware of these meetings or this period for
testimony and input, please send them a copy of this email.
On March 13, expert speakers will
be addressing the Committee to discuss the neurological, therapeutic and
medical needs of those on the spectrum. Tenative scheduled
speakers include Geraldine Dawson, PhD, University of Washington, Gerald
L. Shook, Executive Director of the Behavior Analyst Certification
Board, and parents of children who have had successful outcomes through
different therapeutic approaches. This is a regular meeting of the SB1
Advisory Committee and the public is welcome.
This discussion of autism in particular is occurring because of the
outstanding interest in the issue by Oregon parents and the many letters
sent to the Committee addressing the disparity in health insurance
coverage because of an autism diagnosis.
PLEASE attend this meeting and put a face on our concerns and interests.
If you can't make the March 13 meeting---THERE
WILL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY at the Public Comment meeting.on
MARCH 20, 4-8 pm. The press has
been invited. Location is same as for the March 13 meeting.
If everyone who has written a letter, contacted the Committee or is
interested in the issue could come to either or both meetings, we could
pack the room and convince the Committee that the outcome of these
meetings are important to us!
If you have not yet done so, please contact the SB1 Advisory Committee
by email, letter and/or phone and tell them why accessible health
insurance coverage of treatments for autism spectrum disorders is
important to Oregon families and crucial for their children with autism.
If you have testimony about the personal or financial hardship suffered
because of lack of access--let them know. If you believe that early
intervention treatment and continued therapeutic support is important to
the health, outcome and future quality of life for Oregon's children
with autism---let them know. Any facts, studies, or statistics that you
can provide will help the Committee understand why you believe that this
is a vitally important issue.
If you have already written to to the Committee...THANK YOU; PLEASE SEND
COPIES of your letter(s) to your Legislators and the Governor so that we
can increase awareness of our interests among our State Legislative and
Executive decisionmakers. While the current developments are a
potentially positive first step that our interests are being
heard---future action may be needed and this is a great opportunity to
act AND INFORM.
CONTACT INFORMATION/WHERE TO SEND
LETTERS/FOR MORE INFO
To submit a letter for the SB1 Advisory Committee,
for more information/ to obtain a copy of the Committee's working draft,
and notes to date,
SB1 Advisory Committee contact:
Shelley D Bain, JD
Senior Policy Analyst,
Oregon Insurance Division
350 Winter St NE Room 440
Salem, Oregon
Email:
shelley.d.bain@state.or.us
Phone: 503-947-7216
Fax: 503-378-4351
MAIL:
P.O. Box 14480
Salem, OR 97309-0405
For more immediate assistance
Elizabeth A. McMahon
Administrative Assistant
(503)947-7001
Elizabeth.A.McMahon@state.or.us
Posted minutes and other committee info
http://www.oregoninsurance.org/docs/committees/sb1-advisory_committee.htm
FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE SB1 ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
A meeting for Public input is also scheduled for
March 20, 2006; 4-8pm
at the same location as the March 13 meeting.
Other regular meetings
http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/ins/docs/committees/sb1-advisory_committee.htm
BUILDING AWARENESS OF OUR PRESENCE AND
OUR CONCERNS
The interim period in the Legislature is a good time to inform
decisionmakers, develop Legislative allies, and advance agendas. Any
facts, studies, or statistics that you can provide will help them
understand why these matters are important not only to the health of our
children but the health of our state.
Forward a copy of your letter/write to your legislator, Governor and the
Oregon Senate Committee on Children's Health that has a relevant
interest in our children with autism and decisionmaking power in backing
legislation to help and support our children:
Your senator or representative
online:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/writelegsltr/
MAIL--info--Interim session contact info
http://www.leg.state.or.us/mailing_labels/legislator_quickcard.pdf
Governor Ted Kulongoski
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/contact_us.shtml
MAIL
Governor Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
PHONE
Governor's Citizens' Representative Message Line
503.378.4582
FAX 503.378.6827
OREGON SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN'S
HEALTH
Since the Committee on Children's Health is meeting during the interim
session, this is a good time for you to contact the members about the
issues you have concerning the need for accessibility to effective
autism treatment. Their first scheduled informal meeting is March 30,
2006.
Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, Chair
Party: D District: 25
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1725
Interim Phone: 503-618-3071
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-310, Salem, OR, 97301
Interim Address: PO Box 1531 , Gresham, OR, 97030
Email:
sen.lauriemonnesanderson@state.or.us
Website:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/monnesanderson
Senator Jackie Winters, Vice-Chair
Party: R District: 10
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-212, Salem, OR, 97301
Email:
sen.jackiewinters@state.or.us
Website:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/winters
Senator Margaret Carter
Party: D District: 22
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1722
District Phone: 503-282-6846
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-311, Salem, OR, 97301
District Office Address: P.O. Box 3722 , Portland, OR, 97212
Email:
sen.margaretcarter@state.or.us
Website:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/carter
Senator Jeff Kruse
Party: R District: 1
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1701
Interim Phone: 541-673-7201
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-215, Salem, OR, 97301
Interim Address: 636 Wild Iris Lane, Roseburg, OR, 97470
Email:
sen.jeffkruse@state.or.us
Website:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/kruse
Senator Bill Morrisette
Party: D District: 6
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1706
Interim Phone: 541-746-1378
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-306 , Salem, OR, 97301
Interim Address: 348 G Street, Springfield, OR, 97477
Email:
sen.billmorrisette@state.or.us
Website:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/morrisette
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"I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical.
Even God had some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin."
~ Jerry Newport