Friday, January 29, 2010

LEG. NEWS: Missouri SB 618 autism insurance bill goes to Senate floor on February 1, 2010 for "Perfection"

**Update - Before Perfection of S.618, there was a Senate substitute offered and amendments to the substitute debated before Perfection and ordered printing of the Senate Substitute SS/S618 on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. Please see the post of February 3, 2010 for report on SS/618 and HB1311**
--------------------------------
Missouri SB 618, the Senate autism insurance bill (a similar bill is House bill HB 1311) has a scheduled date of Monday, February 1, 2010 on the Missouri Senate Calendar for "Perfection".

Missouri Senate Calendar
THIRTEENTH DAY--MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2010
FORMAL CALENDAR
(After SECOND READING OF SENATE BILLS)

SENATE BILLS FOR PERFECTION
1. SB 618-Rupp, et al
    Requires health carriers to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders under certain conditions

(In considering the "Perfection" process, bear in mind that SB 618 was unanimously voted out of committee with a do-pass as is recommendation.)

Perfection of a bill
"If a bill is reported favorably out of committee or a substitute is recommended, it is placed on the "perfection calendar" and when its turn comes up for consideration it is debated on the floor of the originating house. If a substitute is recommended by the committee or if committee amendments are attached to the bill, they are first presented, debated and voted upon. Further amendments can then be proposed by other members with their changes designated as House or Senate amendments to differentiate from the committee amendments. When all amendments have been considered, a motion is made to declare the bill perfected. Perfection is usually voted on a voice vote but on the request of five members, a roll call shall be taken. If a majority of members vote to perfect, the bill is reprinted in its original or amended form."

For further information on the legislative progression in Missouri, see
How a Bill Becomes a Law

----------------------------------
Past blog posts on Missouri SB 618

Wednesday, January 27, 2010
LEG NEWS: Missouri SB 618 unanimously passed in Senate Committee, HB 1311 under scrutiny in House Committee
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG blog

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

TIME SENSITIVE: The Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet) requests your input on priorities in Basic Behavioral and Social Science Research by February 19!

The NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet) is seeking input from
  • the scientific community,
  • health professionals,
  • patient advocates,and the
  • general public
about current and emerging priorities in basic behavioral and social sciences research (b-BSSR).

A formal Request For Information (RFI) has just been published in the NIH Guide,
Request for Information (RFI): To Solicit Input on Priorities for the NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet)
Notice Number: NOT-OD-10-055
Key Dates
Release Date:  January 28, 2010
Response Date:  February 19, 2010
Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov).

Your participation is encouraged and welcome in this RFI recommending top priority challenges for b-BSSR.

For detailed information about the RFI and to submit your ideas, please go to http://bbssrresponse.com/. This information will enable OppNet to strategically plan future investments in b-BSSR. [Note: an allocation of $120 million dollars over the next 4-5 years is anticipated]

Please note that the deadline for responding to this RFI is February 19th, 2010.
Your help is sought in identifying broad priority areas.
The purpose of this RFI is NOT a solicitation of research grant proposals nor to solicit ideas for specific, individual research proposals. Please see the Request for Information notice for the specifics of information requested.

The mission of OppNet is to pursue opportunities for strengthening b-BSSR at the NIH while innovating beyond existing investments. Further information about OppNet, including the definition of what is meant by basic-BSSR (critical to understand if you are going to identify priority areas for investment) can found at http://oppnet.nih.gov/.

For the full summary notice and information, please see
BSSR News
OppNet requests your input on priorities in Basic Behavioral and Social Science Research by February 19!
posted January 29, 2010
-------------------
Note: There are also funding opportunities available from OppNet.
Please see their site for information on those opportunities.
-------------------

For further information on RFI [NOT-OD-10-055], OppNet and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)


Request for Information (RFI): To Solicit Input on Priorities for the NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet)
Notice Number: NOT-OD-10-055
Key Dates
Release Date:  January 28, 2010
Response Date:  February 19, 2010
Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov).


Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet)

About OppNet/Mission statement

NIH definition of basic behavioral and social sciences research (b-BSSR) FAQs

The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)
National Institutes of Health
US Department of Health and Human Services
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

ANNOUNCE & REQUEST FOR COMMENT: Obama Administration issues rules requiring parity in treatment of mental, substance use disorders

**2/3/10 9:50 AM PST -Update to reflect current location of the interim final rules - prior link no longer valid**

Today the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury issued the awaited interim final rules [http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-2167.pdf http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRupload/OFRData/2010-02167_PI.pdf ] resulting from passage of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). The notice/press release below outlines changes resulting from the passage of MHPAEA, and requests comment during a comment period of 90 days on certain areas of the interim final rules. While the notice/press release is retained in full, some areas have been highlighted and bulleted to emphasize important areas of the law's requirements, areas that comment are being requested for, how to submit comments on the MHPEA interim rules, and how to request materials in an alternative accessible format.
----------------------------------------

Paul Wellstone, Pete Domenici Parity Act prohibits discrimination

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury today jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders.
"Today's rules will bring needed relief to families faced with meeting the cost of obtaining mental health and substance abuse services," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The benefits will give these Americans access to greatly needed medical treatment, which will better allow them to participate fully in society. That is not just sound policy, it's the right thing to do."

"The rules we are issuing today will, for the first time, help assure that those diagnosed with these debilitating and sometimes life-threatening disorders will not suffer needless or arbitrary limits on their care," said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.  "I applaud the longstanding and bipartisan effort that made these important new protections possible."

"Workers covered by group health plans who need mental health and substance abuse care deserve fair treatment," said Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin. "These rules expand on existing protections to ensure that people don't face unnecessary barriers to the treatment they need."
The new rules prohibit group health insurance plans — typically offered by employers — from restricting access to care by limiting benefits and requiring higher patient costs than those that apply to general medical or surgical benefits. The rules implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).

MHPAEA greatly expands on an earlier law, the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996, which required parity only in aggregate lifetime and annual dollar limits between the categories of benefits and did not extend to substance use disorder benefits. 

The new law requires that 
  • any group health plan that includes mental health and substance use disorder benefits along with standard medical and surgical coverage must treat them equally in terms of out-of-pocket costs, benefit limits and practices such as prior authorization and utilization review.  
  • These practices must be based on the same level of scientific evidence used by the insurer for medical and surgical benefits.  
    • For example, a plan may not apply separate deductibles for treatment related to mental health or substance use disorders and medical or surgical benefits.  They must be calculated as one limit. 
  • MHPAEA applies to employers with 50 or more workers whose group health plans choose to offer mental health or substance use disorder benefits 
  • The new rules are effective for plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2010.
The Wellstone-Domenici Act is named for two dominant figures in the quest for equal treatment of benefits.   The late Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., who was a vocal advocate for parity throughout his Senate career, sponsored the ultimately successful full parity act.  He was joined by former Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who first introduced legislation to require parity in 1992.  Champions of the legislation also included the bipartisan team of Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., and former Rep. Jim Ramstad, R-Minn.

The issue of parity dates back more than 40 years to President John F. Kennedy, and also was supported by President Clinton and the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

The interim final rules released today were developed based on the departments' review of more than 400 public comments on how the parity rule should be written.   
Comments on the interim final rules are still being solicited. 
  • Sections where further comments are being specifically sought include so-called "non quantitative" treatment limits such as those that pertain to the 
    • scope and duration of covered benefits, 
    • how covered drugs are determined (formularies) and 
    • the coverage of step-therapies.  
  • Comments are also being specifically requested on the regulation's section on "scope of benefits" or continuum of care.
Comments on the interim final regulation are due 90 days after the publication date.
Comments may be emailed to the federal rulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov.
**1/29/10, 1:33pm PST - notice at regulations.gov
"Regulations.gov will undergo a scheduled maintenance outage and will be unavailable from Saturday, January 30, 2010, 8:00 a.m. to Saturday, January 30, 2010, 11:00 a.m. (EST). Thank you for your patience and we regret any inconvenience this outage may cause."**
  • Comments directed to HHS should include the file code CMS-4140-IFC.  
  • Comments to the Department of Labor should be identified by RIN 1210-AB30.  
  • Comments to the Treasury's Internal Revenue Service should be identified by REG-120692-09.  
  • Comments may be sent to any of the three departments and will be shared with the other departments 
    • Please do not submit duplicates.
U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.govThe information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request.  Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.  The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations.  For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor

RELATED LINKS
http://www.dol.gov
------------------------------------
For more information:

Federal Register: Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Part IV:
Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, 26 CFR Part 54
Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 29 CFR Part 2590
Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 45 CFR Part 146
Interim Final Rules Under the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008; Final Rule
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-2167.pdf

Good summary article of the rules release, application and comment submission
Registration required to access.
Interim rule issued on mental health parity
ModernHealthcare.com
By Jessica Zigmond
Posted: January 29, 2010 - 5:59 am ET


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

LEG. NEWS: Mississippi - SB2457 would phase in training of personnel and routine school use of "applied behavior science" for students with ASD

Besides the autism insurance bills in the Mississippi Legislature, another bill that might have impact on the practice of applied behavior analysis in that state is an education bill, SB2457, establishing specialized autism classrooms with special emphasis in behavioral supports, including "applied behavior science and techniques", each taught by an "educational expert". That students with ASD would be entitled to at least 30 hours of intervention a week, and that all district personnel working with students with ASD would have training in "behavioral supports, including applied behavior science and techniques". Other clauses describe phase in time to implementation and nature of in-service training, parent training, and establishment of an expert on behavioral intervention treatment and autism initially within each school district and transitioning to each school site. Many of the statements in SB2457 bear strong resemblance to the recommendations of a 2007 report, Caring for Mississippi Children and Families with Autism, Task Force Report , December 2007.
Please see the bill text and the Task Force Report for the respective exact language of each.
  • SB2457
    Referred to Senate Committees Education; Appropriations1/11/2010
    Title:
    AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENT AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD) CLASSROOMS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS STATEWIDE TO MORE FULLY MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WITH AUTISM IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
From SB 2457,
"...The ASD classroom will be taught by an educational expert who is trained in behavioral supports, including applied behavior science and techniques.
(d) The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) classroom will not replace the self-contained/resource classroom, the Attention Deficit Disorder classroom, or the general inclusion program. The ASD classroom will serve as an additional service that meets the  specialized needs of children with autism. All students with ASD shall have access to appropriate services for a minimum of thirty  (30) hours per week unless otherwise justified on the individualized Education Plan of the child.
(e) All school district personnel instructing children with ASD shall be trained in behavioral supports, including applied behavior science and techniques. This training should include elementary, junior high and high school personnel.
(f) Professional training will include in-service training for current regular and special educators, establishing an expert within each school district on autism and behavioral intervention treatment for the 2010-2011 school year and establishing within the next two (2) years an expert within each school site. Continuing education for parents and supporters of children with autism shall be included in this training. All training for professional educators and parents shall be an ongoing process.
(g) The programs shall include transitional services to include high school and post-high school vocational and job training programs that meet the individual needs of teens and 70 adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after January 1, 2010."
---------------------------------
Related posts and information
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG blog
LEG. NEWS: Mississippi - Six autism insurance bills in the legislature

The Mississippi State Legislature

Caring for Mississippi Children and Families with Autism, Task Force Report , December 2007
Comments and recommendations of that document.

"...p. 19, "Therefore our state must increase the numbers of healthcare providers, allied health professionals, psychologists and behavioral therapists who are well-versed in the diagnosis and treatment of ASD. To ensure that comprehensive and continuous health services are given to those with ASD, the legislature must also ensure that these providers can be compensated through private insurance and Medicaid assistance
programs..."

p. 20, "...Essential components of early intervention programs include:
1. Comprehensive curriculum, addressing core domains of imitation, language, toy play, and social interaction;
2. Sensitivity to normal developmental sequences,
3. Highly supportive teaching strategies based on applied behavioral procedures,
4. Behavioral strategies for reducing interfering behaviors,
5. Involvement and training of parents,
6. Gradual, careful transition from a highly supportive environment (usually one on one) to a less structured environment (small group),
7. A staff trained in autism spectrum disorders,
8. Supervisory and review mechanisms,
9. Intensive intervention, i.e., at least 25 hours per week of structured intervention for at least two years (per National Research Council recommendations),
10. Parental and caregiver training; and
11. Intervention by two years of age whenever possible..."

p. 22: Educational Recommendations for 3-21
"E-3: All school district personnel instructing children with ASD be trained in behavioral supports, including applied behavioral science and techniques."

p.23,
"Programming...Only half of the school districts surveyed reported using any form of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) one of the most effective therapies for individuals with ASD. Again, programming methods were varied and only half the districts reported using any form of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programming techniques. Not only will the behavioral techniques learned through training in ABA benefit children with ASD, but those techniques can be used for children with other disorders including ADHD, Emotional Disturbance, Mental Retardation, and has even proven effective in neuro-typical children. For children with ASD, ABA methods and/or programming should be utilized in all educational settings with an emphasis placed on moving away from a clinical setting to an inclusive setting while maintaining independence, social development, and learning..."

p. 23, Teacher Support in Schools
School districts at a minimum should employ or contract the following professionals to meet the educational requirements of these children: a behavioral specialist in ASD treatment, a speech/language pathologist, an occupational therapist and a school psychologist.

E-6: A priority in education be to increase the number of trained professionals educating children with ASD. These activities should include
1) in-service training for current regular and special educators,
2) establishing an expert within each school district for 2009-2010 the next year on autism and behavioral intervention treatment, and
3) establishing within the next 2 years an expert within each school site.

p. 24,
E-7: School districts at a minimum should employ/ obtain contractual services with the following professionals to appropriately treat ASD children OT, Speech, PT, Behavioral Analysts or similar professional, Behavioral Techs or other professional who will implement ABA and social skills programming that is data driven and periodically monitored for each individual student

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

Thursday, January 28, 2010

LEG. NEWS: Mississippi - Six autism insurance bills in the legislature

Mississippi appears to have no less than six autism insurance bills active in the 2010 legislative season, although two appear to be in effort of defining parity with other neurological coverage for children under the age of 12, and do not refer to treatment in specifics or applied behavior analysis. The remaining four bills do define, and refer to applied behavior analysis under "habilitative and rehabilitative care". One bill, SB 2175, requires the Department of Mental Health to establish standards for qualification and credentialling of "autism service providers" (under which category behavior analysts seem to fall in the language of these bills).

See below for the bill numbers, current status according to the Mississippi State Legislature website, title, references to applied behavior analysis and providers of those services as found in the bill texts, access to the full bill text and status/history.
  • SB 2055
    Referred to Senate Insurance Committee1/6/10

    Title:
    AN ACT TO REQUIRE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, INCLUDING COVERAGE UNDER THE STATE AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS; TO DEFINE "AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" AS AN AUTISTIC DISORDER, ASPERGER'S SYNDROME, OR PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Applied behavior analysis defined, coverage for applied behavior analysis under category of "Habilitative or rehabilitative care" - "professional, counseling, and guidance services and treatment programs, including applied behavior analysis, that are necessary to develop, maintain and restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual."
Provider of applied behavior analysis services not specified, nor the competencies of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. An "Autism services provider" is specified as "any person, entity or group that provides treatment of autism spectrum disorders"
  • SB 2129
    Referred to Senate Insurance Committee1/6/10

    Title:
    AN ACT TO REQUIRE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, INCLUDING COVERAGE UNDER THE STATE AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS; TO DEFINE "AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" AS AN AUTISTIC DISORDER, ASPERGER'S SYNDROME, OR PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Applied behavior analysis defined, coverage for applied behavior analysis under category of "Habilitative or rehabilitative care" - "professional, counseling, and guidance services and treatment programs, including applied behavior analysis, that are necessary to develop, maintain and restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual."
Provider of applied behavior analysis services not specified, nor the competencies of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. An "Autism services provider" is specified as "any person, entity or group that provides treatment of autism spectrum disorders"
  • SB 2175
    Referred to Senate Insurance Committee 1/6/10

    Title:
    AN ACT TO REQUIRE ALL HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS IN INDIVIDUALS LESS THAN 21 YEARS OF AGE; TO PROVIDE THAT COVERAGE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A CERTAIN MAXIMUM BENEFIT PER YEAR; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS TO BE UTILIZED BY MANAGED CARE PLANS FOR THE CREDENTIALING OF AUTISM SERVICE PROVIDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Applied behavior analysis defined, coverage for applied behavior analysis under category of "Habilitative or rehabilitative care" - "professional, counseling, and guidance services and treatment programs, including applied behavior analysis, that are necessary to develop, maintain and restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual."
Provider of applied behavior analysis services not specified, nor the competencies of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. An "Autism services provider" is specified as "any person, entity or group that provides treatment of autism spectrum disorders" AND, "any care for individuals with autism spectrum disorders that is determined by the Department of Mental Health, based upon its review of best practices or evidence-based research that is medically necessary and that is properly promulgated under regulations establishing standards for qualified autism services providers.  Once the regulations are promulgated, payment for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders covered under this section shall only be made to autism services providers who meet the standards."
  • SB 2363
    Referred to Senate Insurance Committee 1/11/2010

    Title: AN ACT TO REQUIRE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS; TO DEFINE "AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" AS AN AUTISTIC DISORDER, ASPERGER'S SYNDROME, OR PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Applied behavior analysis defined, coverage for applied behavior analysis under category of "Habilitative or rehabilitative care" - "professional, counseling, and guidance services and treatment programs, including applied behavior analysis, that are necessary to develop, maintain and restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual."
Provider of applied behavior analysis services not specified, nor the competencies of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. An "Autism services provider" is specified as "any person, entity or group that provides treatment of autism spectrum disorders".

Appears to be a bill to require coverage for autism on par with coverage for other neurological disorders.
ABA not specified. Practitioner not specified
Same language as HB 1496.

Appears to be a bill to require coverage for autism on par with coverage for other neurological disorders.ABA not specified. Practitioner not specified.
Same language as SB 2607.
----------------------------------------------
For more information/related
Autism Votes - Mississippi

Mississippi State Legislature

Caring for Mississippi Children and Families with Autism
Task Force Report December 2007
p. 26, "...Private Insurance Reform
"...Nationally, there are very few private insurance companies or other employee benefit plans that cover behavioral and other needed therapies. Most insurance companies designate autism as a diagnostic exclusion, “meaning that any services rendered explicitly for the treatment of autism are not covered by the plan, even if those services would be covered if used to treat a different condition.” A 2002 study by Pamela B. Peele and others of 128 behavioral health plans administered by one of two large managed behavioral health organizations found that all the plans had some type of limit on benefits for behavioral therapies – over half of the plans had limits on the number of annual outpatient sessions and 65 percent of the plans imposed limits on the number of inpatient days covered per year. As noted through out this report, parents report that most Mississippi ’s children with ASD are denied coverage outright or their treatment for any specific autism condition is automatically excluded. Parents can often spend upwards of $50,000 per year on autism-related therapies, often being forced to venture their own futures and the futures of their non-autistic children to pay for vital autism-related therapies. Children whose parents cannot afford to pay for behavioral and other therapies simply go without these interventions. Sadly, the progress these children will make is usually quite limited.
The Mississippi Legislature should enact, and the Governor of Mississippi should sign into law, legislation modeled after South Carolina's Ryan's Law. South Carolina ’s legislation, was passed by both the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate on May 31, 2007. The bill was then vetoed by Governor Mark Sanford on June 6. On June 7, the bill was brought back to the House and Senate floors, and unanimous votes in both chambers overrode the Governor's veto. This law goes into effect in July 2008. The legislation provides:
-Treatments, including behavioral therapies, which are prescribed by the individual’s
treating medical doctor in accordance with a treatment plan;
-An individual must be diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder at age eight or
younger. The coverage must be provided to any eligible person less than sixteen
years of age; and
-Coverage for behavioral therapy is subject to a $50,000 maximum benefit per year..."
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

ABAI NEWSFLASH: Reminder of deadlines around the Association for Behavior Analysis International annual convention


An email reminder arrived today on some fast-approaching deadlines regarding 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
-----------------------------------------------
"As the ABAI 2010 Annual Convention approaches, we thought it might be helpful to send a reminder of deadlines that are coming up soon!

Friday, January 29, 2010 is the deadline for any changes to be included on the convention web site and in the convention program book. Changes should be sent to convention@abainternational.org. It is very important to list the title and ID of your submission in the subject line of the email. You may view your submission by signing onto the ABAI portal.

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!

If you have not done so already, we recommend that you make your hotel reservations soon. Rooms are still available at the Hyatt Regency, located within walking distance of the convention center. Please visit the hotel information page  to make your reservation on-line.

We hope these reminders are helpful for you. We thank you in advance for contributing to the success of the 2010 ABAI Annual Convention.

Best,
ABA International Team
Association for Behavior Analysis International
...

------------------------------------------------ 


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

NEWS: British GMC rules that unethical practice used and research rules broken in study for 1998 Lancet article linking MMR and autism

**Update 1/28/10 4:20pm PST: Kathleen Seidel at Neurodiversity Weblog has posted on the GMC decision in some detail, including the full text of the decision, and the specific date of the April hearing on professional conduct and possible professional sanctions
U.K. General Medical Council Rules Wakefield & Co. "Dishonest," "Irresponsible"
2010-01-28 15:25
The Neurodiversity Weblog
Kathleen Seidel

**
-----------------------------------
A ruling has been issued by the British General Medical Council (GMC) on a 2 1/2 year investigation of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, and Professors John Walker-Smith and Simon Murch on allegations of unethical practice and non-adherence to the terms of ethics committee approval for the research related to a 1998 Lancet article which linked the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) to autism and bowel disease. Subsequent to the article's publication, 10 of the 13 original authors of the study retracted their names from the article.

Wakefield was found to have behaved dishonestly and irresponsibly. Walker-Smith and Murch were determined to have shared responsibility for the breaches of ethical conduct of the research, but neither was stated to have acted dishonestly.

The three will return before the panel in April, at which time the GMC will decide whether there was guilt of serious professional misconduct. Should that determination be made, a  result could be loss of license to practice medicine.

This investigation has been one of the longest in the GMC's history.
-------------------------------
For more information:
Summary of the background and specific inquiries made by the GMC

Murch, S.H., Anthony, A., Casson, D.H., Malik, M., Berelowitz, M., Dhillon, A.P., Valentine, A., Davies, S.E., & Walker-Smith, J.A. (2004).Retraction of an interpretation. The Lancet, 363(9411), 750.
This article is stated by The Lancet to be available free of charge with registration.

Media reports
From the Lancet to the GMC: how Dr Andrew Wakefield fell from grace
Sarah Boseley, health editor
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 28 January 2010 15.37 GMT


MMR scare doctor 'acted unethically', panel finds
last updated at 17:35 GMT, Thursday, 28 January 2010
By Nick Triggle
Health reporter, BBC News 


Andrew Wakefield found 'irresponsible' by GMC over MMR vaccine scare
Sarah Boseley, health editor
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 28 January 2010 20.34 GMT


Doctor in disgrace
January 29, 2010
TimesOnline (UK)
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


FYI: Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies Winter 2010 newsletter now online


The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies has announced that the Winter 2010 issue of the Center's newsletter, The Current Repertoire, is now available online.

About The Current Repertoire,
The Current Repertoire is the newsletter of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. Published three times a year, The Current Repertoire features news about the Center, the science [of behavior analysis] and its members.


Current Issue - Winter 2010, Volume 26, Issue 1
In this issue:
  • From the Executive Director
  • Morningside Academy's Award-Winning Program Celebrates 30 Years
  • An Introduction to CCBS Director, Charles D. Hamad, Ph.D.
  • The Teaching Machine™: Vicci Tucci’s Latest Launch
  • Behavior & Philosophy, Jay Moore, Editor
  • 2009 Annual Meeting of the Trustees: Election Results
  • ABA Conference Coming to LA - CCBS & The Chicago School, LA
  • CCBS Happenings at ABAI Convention
  • Financial Contributors FY2009 - A list of our supporters

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

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

LEG NEWS: Missouri SB 618 unanimously passed in Senate Committee, HB 1311 under scrutiny in House Committee

On Tuesday,  January 26, 2010 Missouri Senate Bill,
passed unanimously by bipartisan vote without amendment and with a do-pass recommendation  in the Senate Small Business, Insurance and Industry Committee. The positions SB 618 to come to the Missouri Senate floor.

SB 618 [full text] defines applied behavior analysis, specifies applied behavior analysis as a covered treatment, and includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts as "Autism service providers", and  specifies Board Certified Behavior Analysts, either in independent practice or as an employee of an agency, as appropriate supervisor for those who are neither certified nor licensed by the state of Missouri.

The similar House bill,
was studied on January 26 in a work session (no public testimony) of the House Special Standing Committee on Health Insurance and proposals for amendment to this bill, including reducing the annual coverage for applied behavior analytic services and an exemption for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees were discussed. The Missouri legislative website shows that another work session (no public testimony) on HB 1311 is scheduled for Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 4:00pm, Hearing Room 5.

---------------------------
For more info, news stories and past blog posts
Autism Votes Missouri



Missouri edges closer to autism insurance reform
L Mae Wilkinson
January 26, 9:37 PMSt. Louis Autism & Parenting Examiner


Autism bill advances in Senate, studied in House
01.26.2010 3:19 pm
By Virginia Young
Post-Dispatch Jefferson City Bureau
Political Fix, stltoday.com


Autism coverage bill clears Missouri Senate commitee
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 | 8:09 p.m. CST
BY Brian Krebs, Missourian


Legislative links page for the Missouri Association for Behavior Analysis (MOABA)
Note: the current legislation listed is the mandate bills from the previous 2009 session, but shows that MOABA has tracked these events in the past. This page also has a 2007 powerpoint of MOABA testimony about applied behavior analysis before Missouri's Blue Ribbon Panel on autism.

Missouri General Assemby


Tuesday, January 19, 2010
LEG NEWS: Missouri Autism Insurance bills heard in committee on Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG blog
 
Friday, December 4, 2009
STATES: Missouri Prefiles Two Autism Insurance Reform Bills
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG blog


-----------
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

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

FYI: The Autism Votes Facebook page and Twitter feed

While the main Autism Votes website is a great comprehensive site for what's going on at both state and Federal level with autism-related legislation and developments, autism insurance bills in particular - for fast-breaking announcements, such as committee hearings or other action alerts, two useful options are
the Autism Votes twitter feed , for those who enjoy "tweeting",  and for slightly more detailed announcements of fast-breaking developments with autism-insurance related bill introductions and legislative meetings or hearings the Autism Votes Facebook page.



This blog will also track a variety of news items, events and legislation of interest to practicing behavior analysts, including autism legislation as it pertains to professional practice of behavior analysis, (and this site also carries the feeds from the Autism Votes Facebook page and Twitter in the right sidebar) but if you as practitioner or consumer are particularly interested in keeping up to date and getting hearing alerts on an autism-related bill in your state that is being tracked by Autism Votes - a friendly recommendation would be to stay in touch with the above resources.

---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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,

LEG. NEWS: Georgia - SB 161 Autism Insurance bill recommitted by Georgia Senate

In the 2009 Georgia legislative session, two autism insurance bills named "Ava's Law", aka SB 161 and HB 426 stalled and failed to progress to votes on the floor. At this time is unclear whether HB 426 will be recommitted in the 2010 session but,

SB 161 (Ava's Law): A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 33-24-59.10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance coverage for autism, so as to require certain insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
which was introduced in 2009 and Tabled in March of 2009 has been removed from the Table and recommitted by the Georgia Senate on 1/11/10

Brief History
Introduced in 2009
03/12/2009    Senate Tabled
01/11/2010    Senate Taken from Table
01/11/2010    Senate Recommitted
In Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor (I&L)

SB 161 [As introduced LC 37 0853]
has been subject to committee substitute and considerable amendment, but it seems that the bill still retains reference to applied behavior analysis, in re:

Committee sub LC 33 3069S
Retains definition of applied behavior analysis, and definition of "habilitative and rehabilitative care" to mean behavioral interventions and related services...and treatment programs including applied behavior analysis and other structured behavioral programs provided by a licensed psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed behavioral therapist, certified behavioral analyst, or other qualified professional as prescribed by a licensed physician, licensed physician's assistant, or certified nurse practitioner.

Floor amend 1 AM 37 0067 which appears to have substantially amended the bill by striking lines and making subbstitutions in lieu of that language,
(3) 'Behavioral therapy' means discrete trial training, pivotal response training, verbal behavior intervention, and early intensive behavioral intervention.
...Coverage shall be provided for behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy when such therapies are prescribed in accordance with the treatment plan...
For purposes of this Code section, behavioral therapy shall be considered to be a medical benefit as opposed to a mental health benefit.
Floor amend 1a

Amend amendment #1 (AM 37 0067) to SB 161 by adding on line 27 after "behavioral" the following: "or developmental"
Most recent floor amendment,
Floor amend 2 AM 33 0774
is related to type of policy.

Please see legislative website and the specific amendments and substitutes for exact language.
------------------------------------
For further info
Autism Votes - Georgia

Ava's Law - Georgia Autism Insurance Mandate Facebook page

Georgia General Assembly

ABAI Chapters in/serving Georgia
Georgia Association for Behavior Analysis (GABA)

Related - in GABA newsletter -
"Georgia Improves Options for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities"
Clint Trusty, MS, BCBA
GABA Newsletter, Volume 3 Number 1
Summer 2009
&
Georgia Department of Behavioral health and Developmental Disabilities


---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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


LEG. NEWS: New York - A full roster of autism insurance coverage legislation

The New York State Assembly has a VERY full roster of legislation proposing coverages for, and related to, autism diagnosis and treatment. This is in addition to the previously reported on NY S.3676 for establishing qualification standards for autism service providers for those 21 years or younger, including state recognition of the BACB Certifications and conditions of reimbursement and other clauses.

The insurance bills are (reported in approximate numerical order),


S 385 and A 2759
"Requires health insurers to provide full coverage for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, establishes an advisory panel on health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder to annually compile a list of treatments and therapy options for which health insurers will be required to provide coverage, establishes a toll-free, 24 hour a day, autism and health insurance coverage hotline."
S 385 and A 2759 do not specify or define applied behavior analysis nor providers nor competencies. Creates an advisory panel to determine on an annual basis a list of "successful treatment and therapy options" that will be required to be covered under the conditions of the bill.
--------------------------------------------

Although it is stated that there is no "same as" bill, this is very similar, if not identical to,
Applied behavior analysis is not defined in S.1175 or A 3332, but is categorized explicitly under "therapeutic care, including behavioral, speech, occupational and physical therapies that provide treatment in the following areas..4. Applied behavior analysis, intervention and modification,..."

Provider or competencies of provider of applied behavior analysis unspecified, although there is reference to "a provider of treatment for autism spectrum disorders".
--------------------------------------------

"Relates to autism spectrum disorders in individuals twenty-one years or less; directs the department of health to promulgate rules and regulations establishing standards for qualified autism services providers and upon such promulgation, payment for treatment of autism spectrum disorders covered shall only be made available to autism services providers who meet such standards; further directs the department of health shall further establish standards to be utilized by managed care plans for the credentialing of autism service providers and authorizes that the department of insurance may require that a managed care plan grant credentials to any autism service provider whom the department determines meets or exceeds the department's credentialing standards."
S 2366-A and A6001-A define Applied behavior analysis, and coverage is specified under "habilitative or rehabilitative care". Provider of applied behavior analysis services not specified nor the competencies of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). An "Autism Services Provider" is identified as "any person, entity, or group that provides treatment of autism spectrum disorders". These bills have been endorsed by Autism Speaks.
--------------------------------------------

Applied behavior analysis is not defined in S. 6123 or A. 6888-B; it is included under "therapeutic care" as "applied behavior analysis, intervention and modification". Providers of behavior analytic intervention not defined, nor are the competencies of the BACB specified. There is reference to a "provider of treatment" and a mechanism for a coverage provider to refer to a specialist or nonparticipating provider with appropriate training and experience.

=========================
For more information:
Autism Votes - New York
Currently specific to S2366 and A6001/Endorsed by Autism Speaks

New York State Assembly

Related: ABAI chapters in/that serve New York
New York State Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA)

Past related blog post:
Monday, January 25, 2010
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG blog
LEG. NEWS: New York S. 3676 Defines the practice of behavior analysis and recognizes the Behavior Analysis Certification Board competencies

---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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

Monday, January 25, 2010

LEG. NEWS: Alaska - HB 187 Autism insurance bill & hearing scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2010

** Update 1/28/10 6:15pm PST - While the record of today's meeting is not yet online, it might be helpful background information to have the minutes, audio, and submitted documents to the 3/24/2009 public testimony for Alaska HB 187 including that by Gina Green, Ph.D., BCBA-D on applied behavior analysis and James Bouder on the cost analysis of this legislation - "The Cost  and  Benefit of  HB 187.".**
---------------------------------
Alaska HB 187: Insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder, has been carried over to the 2010 legislative session, is currently in the House Health & Social Services Committee and the legislative website shows a hearing in the

House Health & Social Services Committee,
Thursday, January 28, 2010 3:00PM, Capitol 106, Teleconference.

About the bill:
Applied behavior analysis is defined in the HB 187, and is categorized as a covered service under "rehabilitative care".

The competencies of a provider of applied behavior analysis is not specified nor is the BACB certification. Definition is given within HB 187 of an "autism service provider", to mean "a person, entity, or group providing treatment of autism spectrum disorders".
--------------------------
For more information

Autism Votes- Alaska

FAQ HB 187
Partners in Policymaking Alaska

The Alaska State Legislature

Gavel to Gavel Alaska (Audio and video streams of Alaska legislature floor and committee proceedings.)

ABAI Chapters in or serving Alaska
Northwestern Association for Behavior Analysis (NWABA)


---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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,

LEG. NEWS: New York S. 3676 Defines the practice of behavior analysis and recognizes the Behavior Analysis Certification Board competencies

NY S. 3676, currently in the New York State Assembly, would create state definition of the practice of behavior analysis, and recognize the competencies of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board as appropriate qualifications for the practice of behavior analysis. The bill text gives a lengthy definition of what behavior analysis is, what it is not, and would establish that a BACB certificant is the appropriate agent of that practice.

S. 3676 also states that the act shall take effect on the January 1 of the year succeeding passage of the bill, and that the NY State department of education would be authorized to immediately promulgate rules and regulation in order to implement the requirements of the act.

As further background, on the website of the New York Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA) there is a legislative action alert dated from February 2009 describing NYSABA's legislative agenda to gain such state recognition of behavior analysis professionals and the BCBA credential which would allow independent professional practice of behavior analysis. Other details are given. Please see the Legislative Action Alert at the NYSABA website, and/or contact NYSABA for specifics and more information.

For more information

New York State Assembly

ABAI chapters in/that serve New York
New York State Association for Behavior Analysis (NYSABA)

---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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

Sunday, January 24, 2010

ANNOUNCE: Maine issues new evidence-based report on autism interventions

**Update: 1/25/10, 3:05pm PST - A reader passed along the tip that the Winter 2010 issue/volume 7(1) of Science in Autism Treatment, the newsletter of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment contains a summary on the Maine report,
pp. 4-5, "Consumer Corner: Maine Releases Report on Evidence-Based Practice for Autism"
Lora Perry, M.S., BCBA
SCIENCE IN AUTISM TREATMENT: Newsletter of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Vol. 7 No. 1, Winter 2010.

[End of Update 1]**
--------------------------

A collaboration of The Maine Department of Health and Human Service & The Maine Department of Education recently issued a report on evaluation of the evidence for interventions for ASD.

The report is,
Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders: STATE OF THE EVIDENCE
Report of the Children’s Services Evidence-Based Practice Advisory Committee
A Collaboration of
THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES & THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
October 2009
Summary table can be found on pages 8-10


This report is another addition to the reference library of updated reports on the state of evidence on autism intervention, which also includes,

National Standards Report: The National Standards — Addressing the Need for Evidence-based Practice Guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorders (174pp.)
National Autism Center, Randolph, MA. 2009.


Evidence-Based Practice and Autism in the Schools: A Guide To Providing Appropriate Interventions to Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders. (258pp.)
National Autism Center, Randolph, MA. 2009.


Myers, S.M., Plauche Johnson, C., (2007). Clinical report: Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. PEDIATRICS, 120(5),1162-1182. (doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2362) 

AAP Policy - American Academy of Pediatrics
NB: Applied behavior analysis and functional behavior analysis covered under "Specific Strategies" on page 1164, under "Speech and Language Therapy" on page 1165, under "Social Skills Training" on page 1165, under "Comparative Efficacy of Educational Interventions for Young Children" on page 1166, under "Programs for Older Children and Adolescents" on page 1166.



Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). Assessment, diagnosis and clinical interventions for children and young people with autism spectrum disorders. A national clinical guideline. Edinburgh (Scotland): Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN); 2007 Jul. 65 p. (SIGN publication; no. 98). [232 references]


Ministries of Health and Education. 2008. New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline. Wellington: Ministry of Health.

------------------------

Related groups, websites, books and past blog posts


AUTISM
Presentation: 7. Behavior Analytic Research in the Treatment of Autism
David Celiberti, Ph.D., BCBA
"An overview of the state of research in autism that evaluates behavior analytic and non–behavior analytic treatments will be presented, with an emphasis on considerations for future research in applied settings."
Presented Monday August 4 at the 2008 National Autism Conference. August 4–8, 2008 Penn State, Pennsylvania
(scroll down the page to the presentation, handouts, and audio of the presentation)


A Parent's Guide to Research
Life Journey Through Autism Guide
Organization for Autism Research

Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)
Summaries of Scientific Research on ABA Teaching Procedures
Teaching Procedures Using Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis



Research Autism (UK)
Introduction to interventions in autism
Evaluated Interventions
Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention


Parent Guide to [autism] Therapies (Australia)
Raising children network: The Australian Parenting Website


ABAI -  Autism Special Interest Group

ABAI - Parent-Professional Partnership Special Interest Group (PPP-SIG)


EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE

The Cochrane Collaboration 
[Evidence-based health care]
An introduction to Cochrane reviews and The Cochrane Library

The Campbell Collaboration 

[systematic reviews of the effects of social interventions - education, crime and justice, and social welfare]


The Wing Institute
Executive Summary
How Does Applied Behavior Analysis Support Evidence-Based Education


BOOKS
Effective Practices for children with autism: Educational and behavior support interventions that work. (2008). New York: Luiselli, J.K., Russo, D.C., Christian, C.P, & Wilczynski, S.M. (Editors). New York: Oxford University Press, USA.
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-531704-6

[Google books limited preview]


Early intervention for autism spectrum disorders: a critical analysis.
 Matson, J.L., & Minshawi, N.F. (2006).  Amsterdam: Elsevier Ltd.
ISBN-13: 978-0-08-044675-2

[Google books limited preview]

Related past posts:
Thursday, January 7, 2010

Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG blog
NEWS: Pediatrics publishes two significant reports on evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals diagnosed with ASD

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG blog
ANNOUNCE: National Autism Center announces new manual for evidence-based education of those with ASD

---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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,

LEG NEWS: Kansas SB.12 & HB. 2367 Accessing Autism Services Act / "Kate's Law"

** Update 1/27/10 4:17PM PST - An article by Jennifer Smith-Currier discusses a meeting of advocates with Kansas legislators on behalf of supporting SB12/HB 2367/Kate's Law. The story also notes that the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (Kansas Chapter AAP) has sent a letter to the legislature supporting Kate's Law.
Autism Insurance Coverage for Kansas Families
Posted by Jennifer Smith-Currier Autism Speaks
gardneredge.com
Posted on Jan. 27th, 2010
**
--------------------------------

Two Kansas autism insurance bills have been carried over from the 2009 legislative session and are the subject of a "Capitol push-in week" during January 25-29, 2010 to build legislative awareness and move the bills forward in the 2010 session.
and
In both bills, "Applied Behavior Analysis" is defined. Applied behavior analysis is included under classification of ‘‘Habilitative or rehabilitative care’’ - means and includes any professional, counseling and guidance service and treatment program, including applied behavior analysis."

Neither behavior analysts nor BACB certificants, nor the competencies of behavior analysis provision are referenced in SB 12 or HB 2367.  An ‘‘Autism services provider’’ is specified and "means any person, entity or group that provides treatment of any autism spectrum disorder".

Why the bills are referred as "Kate's Law",
"My daughter Kate was diagnosed with autism at 2 years 4 months.  She had been a typically developing, bright, verbal, and engaging child until shortly after her first birthday when her development started to regress.  At the time she was diagnosed she had lost the ability to speak, she was non-responsive to social interaction, and content to line up her toys and flap her hands for hours on end. 
Our health insurance denied coverage for her treatment.  My wife and I drained our savings account but were able to provide Kate with 25 hours/week of a home-based intensive behavior therapy program for 3 years.   Kate is currently in 4th grade in a general education classroom without an aide.  She has "straight A's" on her report card and achieved a score of "exemplary" in both the Math and Reading Kansas State Assessment Tests this year.  She still struggles with the social deficits that come with the diagnosis of autism, but she has a small group of good friends and plans to be a writer and an actress when she grows up.  
It was suggested that the Accessing Autism Services Bill be nicknamed "Kate's Law" as a reminder to legislators what a child with autism is capable of achieving if provided access to early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.  Sarah and I are honored that this bill carries her name. "

Video by the Kansas Coalition for Autism Legislation

Kate's Law part 1


Kate's Law part 2


---------------------------------
For more information:

Kansas Coalition for Autism Legislation

Autism Votes - Kansas

Kansas Legislature

Report of the Kansas Autism Task Force to the 2009 Kansas Legislature
"Findings and Recommendations to the Autism Task Force,
'...Examples of evidence-based practices included: Applied Behavioral Analysis and Discrete Trial Teaching (e.g., University of California at Los Angeles,and replication sites); and 2 other intervention programs cited in a meta-analysis conducted by Simpson and colleagues (2005) Pivotal Response Training (PRT; University of California at Santa Barbara), and Learning Experiences: An Alternative for Preschoolers and Parents (LEAP)..."
Best Practice Recommendations based on a Synthesis of Sources
1.Use of a model based on the science of human behavior such as that found in an Applied Behavior Analysis model of intervention. Applied Behavior Analysis has been referenced throughout the literature as having the most scientific evidence to support the use of techniques found in intensive behavioral programs...' "


ABA Chapters for/in Kansas
Kansas ABA

Southeastern ABA

---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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