LEG. NEWS - Virginia autism insurance bill SB 464-S1 dies in House Commerce and Labor subcommittee

On February 23, 2010 Virginia autism insurance advocates suffered disappointment for the second year in the row with a House subcommittee decision to table,
 SB 464-S1  Health insurance; mandated coverage for autism spectrum disorder,

The bill last week passed the Virginia Senate by a 27-13 vote and was at the beginning stage of consideration in the Virginia House.

Subcommittee #1 of the House Commerce and Labor committee recommended by unanimous voice vote to table the measure, ending its progress in the 2010 legislative session.

SB 464-S1 would have allowed coverage of applied behavior analysis for children between the ages of 2-6, with a maximum annual benefit of $35,000 under limitations specified in the bill.

For further reading
House Denies Insurance Coverage for Treatment of Autistic Children
Bill would have required coverage for early intervention treatment that improves outcomes, saves state money
Office of Senator Janet Howell 32nd District
February 23, 2010

Panel kills autism treatment coverage mandate
By BOB LEWIS AP Political Writer
February 23, 2010

House panel rejects autism-insurance coverage
By Tyler Whitley Richmond Times-Dispatch:
Published: February 24, 2010

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Quicktake: Virginia and Missouri autism insurance bills pass floor votes
ABA International Pracice Board Blog

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.

LEG.NEWS: Missouri - SS/SB 618 autism insurance bill to Senate floor for 3rd reading on Thursday, February 18, 2010

Missouri SS/SB 618: Requires health carriers to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders under certain conditions


Is shown on the Missouri Senate Calendar for Thursday, February 18, 2010, under
THIRD READING OF SENATE BILLS and is anticipated to be debated and voted on in that body.

The Missouri Senate is scheduled to convene at 10:00AM. CST

Past blog post
Feb 13, 2010
LEG. NEWS - Missouri : SS/SB 618 & HCS HB 1311 & 1341 poised for action the week of February 15, 2010; licensing added to the House bill


© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.

ANNOUNCE: One week warning - Early bird registration for ABA International Annual Convention ends February 24, 2010

One week warning on early deadline registration for the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)'s 36th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas, May 28 - June 1, 2010 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010 is the last day to register for the annual convention at the "early bird" pre-registration pricing. You can save over 30% by registering today instead of paying on-site!

Hotel rooms may still be available at the 4th overflow hotel, the Hyatt Regency, located within walking distance of the convention center. Please visit the hotel information page  to make your reservation on-line.

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG

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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

 

 

OPPORTUNITY: Autism Science Foundation offers scholarships for parents and stakeholders to attend International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)

The Autism Science Foundation has a notice on their website of an opportunity to allow parents and other stakeholders to attend the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR). This blog has previously reported on the IMFAR conference, the cutting age autism research offered at this conference, and past research presented there by behavior analysts.

(February 11, 2010 -- New York, NY) The Autism Science Foundation today announced that is offering a limited number of grants to parents of children with autism and other stakeholders to support attendance at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), to be held in Philadelphia, May 20-22, 2010. Awards of up to $1000 can be used to cover registration, travel, accommodations, meals and other directly related expenses, including childcare. After the conference, grant recipients will be expected to share what they've learned with families in their local communities and/or online...

For full information, see the notice and application instructions at the Autism Science Foundation.

Past post
Thursday, January 21, 2010
MEETING: International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.

LEG NEWS: Committee Substitute for Virginia SB 464 autism insurance bill scheduled to come to Senate Floor on February 16, 2010

**Update 2/16/10 - 1:11PM PST - SB 464 Committee Substitute was passed without amendment by a vote of 27 to 13 in the Virginia Senate**

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Virginia SB 464: A BILL to amend and reenact § 38.2-4319 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 38.2-3418.16, relating to health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder has been favorably reported with substitute  from the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor on February 15, 2010.

The Regular Senate Calendar for Tuesday, February 16, 2010 shows
SB 464 S1  as coming to the Senate Floor for a vote.

The major change of the amendment/substitute was to reduce the age of coverage from up to age ten years to "from age two to age six".

Applied behavior analysis is defined in SB 464 S1, and coverage of applied behavior analysis is in the category of "Habilitative or rehabilitative care". Service provider of behavior analytic services not defined in SB 464 S1, nor are the competencies of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board specified.


FOR MORE INFORMATION

Virginia General Assembly

Autism Votes - Virginia

Bill mandates autism coverage
The state Senate votes today on legislation to require employers to cover autism treatments.
By Courtney Cutright
Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Past blog posts
Thursday, February 4, 2010
LEG. NEWS - Virginia autism insurance bills die or stall in committee

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.

LEG NEWS: Iowa autism insurance bill SF1 replaced by Committee substitute SF 2349

Senate File (SF)1: A bill for an act requiring certain group health insurance policies, contracts, or plans to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders for certain persons, requiring certification of behavior specialists, and providing an applicability date.
was passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee with amendment on February 11, 2010 but the nature of those amendments were not available at that time.

At the Iowa Legislature on February 15, 2010 it is reported that SF1 has been replaced by

Committee substitute Senate File 2349

Senate File 2349 - Introduced
SENATE FILE BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE
(SUCCESSOR TO SF 1)

A BILL FOR An Act requiring certain group health insurance established for employees of the state to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders for certain persons, requiring certification of behavior specialists, and providing an applicability date.

The most recent actions are
FEB. 15 10 Introduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 405.
FEB. 15 10 Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 407.

Bill Title: *SENATE FILE 2349 (formerly SF 1), a bill for an act requiring certain group health insurance established for employees of the state to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders for certain persons, requiring certification of behavior specialists, and providing an applicability date.
Recommendation: APPROVED COMMITTEE BILL.
Final Vote: Ayes, 11 Nays, 3 Absent, 1

Fiscal Note: NOT REQUIRED UNDER JOINT RULE 17.
*Pursuant to Senate Rule 40, the Legislative Services Agency reported nonsubstantive changes
to the members of the Commerce Committee on Senate File 2349, and they were attached to the committee report.

Brief review seems to indicate that the clauses in SF 1 related to the creation of a "behavior specialist" certification still apply, to wit:

a "'Behavior specialist' means an individual, certified by the commissioner, who designs, implements, or evaluates a behavior modification intervention component of a treatment plan, including those based on applied behavioral analysis, to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior or to prevent loss of attained skill or function, through skill acquisition and the reduction of problematic behavior,

and that,

"The commissioner, in consultation with the board of medicine, shall adopt rules providing for the certification of behavior specialists..."

See the full text of SF 2349 for specific language.


FOR MORE INFORMATION

To create an Iowa Legislature Bill and Code Watch

Iowa Legislature

Autism Votes Iowa

Past post
Friday, January 22, 2010
LEG. NEWS: Iowa - SF1 Autism Insurance bill and January 27, 2010 hearing


© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.

LEG NEWS: Colorado - Bill that would have blocked implementation of autism insurance law killed in committee

On February 4, 2010, a bill in the Colorado General Assembly (HB10-1154)  that would have blocked the July 1, 2010 implementation of of the law mandating health insurance coverage of autism spectrum by passage of 2009 Senate Bill 09-244  was postponed indefinitely in the Colorado House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs  by a 6-5 vote.

This postponement allows SB 09-244/C.R.S. 10-16-104 to proceed to implementation to cover autism treatment, including applied behavior analysis, on July 1 as originally specified.

Among those reporting as having submitted testimony against HB10-1154 was David Hatfield, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Current Director of the Colorado Coalition of Autism Professionals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Colorado Coalition of Autism Professionals (COCAP)

Autism Votes - Colorado - FAQs

Report on events in Colorado from the Four Corners ABA newsletter,volume 1, No.1
Travis Blevins, MS, BCBA and David Hatfield, PH.D., BCBA‐D, Licensed Clinical
Psychologist

Autism Society of Colorado legislation page with information on
2009 SB 09-244: Concerning Health Insurance Benefits for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Votes - Colorado

"Timeout" proposal dies; what next?
Friday, February 5, 2010, 4:47pm MST

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.