Thursday, June 11, 2009

VIDEO: James N. Bouder testifies on cost-analysis of covering ABA for autism

[Author's note on a correction: I would like to add an explanatory note that Mr. Bouder's testimony was as a private citizen who volunteers to help other parents who are legislatively working towards insurance reform and not affiliated with any of his professional interests. A prior version of this post may have accidentally inferred otherwise, and the suggestive misinformation has been edited out. My apologies to Mr. Bouder and to the readers of this blogpost for my error.]

While the testimony was in aid of Michigan HB 4476, the analyses and arguments are applicable anywhere.

There will be some reference to Pennsylvania HB 1150 (now PA Autism Insurance Act 62), which passed in 2008, and the cost-analysis from Texas which recently expanded its ABA coverage for children with autism.

Below is a video of the testimony on behalf of Michigan HB 4476 by James N. Bouder, co-author of several cost analyses on insurance coverage of autism treatment including ABA applications (also see "Further Reading", below).




Further reading:

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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 and 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
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NEWS Maine: Board Certified Behavior Analysts Qualify for Reimbursement under MaineCare

'Recently found on the Maine Legislative website, that SP 226, LD 611 (Sponsor: Sen. Joe Perry), to provide allowance for reimbursement for Board Certified Behavior Analysts under MaineCare, was passed on 5/3/09, and signed into statute by Governor John Baldacci on 5/8/09.

Chapter 33, Reimbursement in the MaineCare Program for Board-certified Behavior Analysts 5/8/09

Added 6/4/09 from legislative website: html, pdf

124th Maine Legislature, First Regular Session Legislature

Paper, SP 226, LD # 611

Resolve, To Provide Reimbursement in the MaineCare Program for Board-certified Behavior Analysts

Final Disposition: FINALLY PASSED, May 5, 2009

Governor's Action: Signed, May 8, 2009

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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 and 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,

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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

ANNOUNCE: You are invited to subscribe to ASAT's free newsletter, "Science in Autism Treatment"


You are invited to subscribe to the free quarterly newsletter,
Science in Autism Treatment, which will be returning this summer.
(Back issues are archived at ASAT under "Suggested Reading.")

The newsletter will include:
  • Featured articles by leading advocates for science-based treatment,
  • "Clinical Corner" responses to frequently-asked-questions about autism treatment,
  • Detailed summaries of specific treatments for autism,
  • Book reviews,
  • Reviews of published research to help consumers and professionals access the science,
  • Interviews with professionals advancing science-based treatment and confronting pseudoscience,
  • Discussion of accurate and inaccurate portrayals of autism and its treatment by the media,
  • Guidelines to help consumers access effective treatments,
  • and even more.
To register to receive your free email subscription to Science in Autism Treatment.

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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 and 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,
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009

NEWS: Michigan Autism Insurance Bill HB 4476 Unanimously Passes House Health Policy Committee-To Go To Floor Of the Michigan House

The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan House Bill 4476 (2009) ( introduced 2/26/2009; Sponsor: Rep. Kathy Angerer + 4 co-sponsors)
Insurance; health care corporations; coverage for certain treatments related to autism; provide for. Amends 1980 PA 350 (MCL 550.1101 - 550.1704) by adding sec. 416e.
was approved by a unanimous 19-0 vote in the Michigan House Health Policy Committee and now heads to the floor of the Democratic-led House. It is reported by The Detroit Free Press that the Senate side of the Michigan legislature may be expected to mount challenges to the bill.




For further information, see
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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 and 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,
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Monday, June 8, 2009

NEWS: Federal S. 1169 joins H.R. 1600 to provide for the treatment of autism under TRICARE

On June 3, 2009 S. 1169 was introduced by Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand (NY), as the Senate-side companion resolution to the previously introduced H.R. 1600. Both bills would "amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the treatment of autism under TRICARE.".

Senator Gillibrand talking about her Autism Plan and S. 1169


Sections of particular interest to Behavior Analysts (identical language in H.R. 1600 and S. 1169),
"...`(3) The Secretary may not consider the use of applied behavior analysis or other structured behavior programs under this section to be special education for purposes of section 1079(a)(9) of this title.
`(4) In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that--
`(A) a person who is authorized to provide applied behavior analysis or other structured behavior programs is licensed or certified by a State, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, or other accredited national certification board; and
`(B) if applied behavior analysis or other structured behavior program is provided by an employee or contractor of a person authorized to provide such treatment, the employee or contractor shall meet minimum qualifications, training, and supervision requirements consistent with business best practices in the field of behavior analysis and autism services.
`(5) In this section:
`(A) The term `autism spectrum disorders' includes autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, and any of the pervasive developmental disorders as defined by the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
`(B) The term `habilitative and rehabilitative care' includes--
`(i) professional counseling;
`(ii) guidance service;
`(iii) treatment programs, including not more than 40 hours per week of applied behavior analysis; and
`(iv) other structured behavior programs that a health care professional determines necessary to develop, improve, maintain, or restore the functions of the beneficiary..."
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Full text, tracking and other commentary on S.1169 and H.R. 1600

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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 and 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,
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NEWS: H.R. 2740 "IDEA Fairness Restoration Act" would allow expert witness fees for parents

Congressmen Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Pete Sessions (R-TX) introduced H.R. 2740, the IDEA Fairness Restoration Act. This bill would overturn a 2006 Supreme Court decision that prohibits the payment of fees to expert witnesses representing parents in IDEA due process. The fees would only be paid by school systems which are found by the courts to have wrongfully denied an appropriate education to students with disabilities under IDEA.
From the Capitol Insider, Volume 14, Issue 22. June 8, 2009
Disability Collaboration: A Partnership of The Arc & United Cerebral Palsy
To sign up for the Capitol Insider

OpenCongress on H.R. 2740

Other blog posts
H.R. 2740 would amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to permit a prevailing party in an action or proceeding brought to enforce the Act to be awarded expert witness fees and certain other expenses.
Washingtonwatch.com
H.R. 2740: To amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to permit a prevailing party in an action or proceeding brought to enforce the Act to be awarded expert witness fees and certain other expenses.
GovTrack.us
Other references
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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and 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,
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NEWS: Federal H.R. 2688: Empowered at Home Act would assist home and community-based services for disabilities

On June 3, 2009, H.R. 2688, the Empowered at Home Act of 2009, was introduced in the U.S. House and has been sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (Chairman: Rep. Henry Waxman).

Federal News Long Term Services and Supports
"Representatives Frank Pallone [Jr.] (D-NJ) and Diana DeGette (D-CO) introduced the Empowered at Home Act [of 2009], H.R 2688. This bill would remove barriers to providing home and community-based services (HCBS) under the Medicaid State plan amendment option for individuals in need by
1) increasing the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP);
2) revising the income eligibility to up to 300% of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit rate; and
3) giving states the option to provide HCBS waiver services to prevent, delay, or decrease the likelihood of institutionalized care."

From the Capitol Insider, Volume 14, Issue 22, June 8, 2009
Disability Collaboration: A Partnership of The Arc & United Cerebral Palsy
To sign up for the Capitol Insider
Open Congress tracking on HR 2688


Other blog posts on HR 2688,

HR2688, To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve ...
HR 2688 would amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid Program....

June 02, 2009 H.R. 2688: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ...
A bill inthe US Congress: To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to improve the State plan amendment option for providing home and community-based services under the Medicaid Program, and for other purposes.

Other resources:

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

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