Delaware Families Need Autism Insurance Reform!
SB22 remains in committee- let's get it out!
Come to Leg Hall or call your state senator and say:
Your name and address
That you'd like them to support SB22, the autism insurance bill
That you'd like them to urge the Senate Finance Committee to hold a hearing ASAP!
This bill will not be law without your voices, your stories, your commitment making clear the human costs of denying kids with autism the care they need. Contact kim.siegel@delautism.org if you have any questions!
LINKS TO MORE RESOURCES
Why legislators should support SB22
Family talking points on SB22- NEW!
Contacting your Delaware legislators
Oliver Wyman actuarial study of original reform legislation (SB204)
Other states' projected savings
Autism Speaks DE Action Center
Senate Bill 22 would require all insurers regulated by state law to cover treatments for autism up to age 21. Without a vote in the Senate Finance Committee, it cannot go before the full Senate.With the right therapies, kids with autism can achieve dramatic improvements- improved behaviors, learning new skills, needing less support in everyday situations and even school! But despite the known benefits, most insurers will not cover such therapies to treat autism. To refuse coverage for this medical condition is unfair to:
* the children who struggle everyday to gain and maintain function without therapies proven to support them
* the families who cannot afford out-of-pocket therapy on top of their premiums
* the schools who struggle to serve children who have no other way to get help
* the taxpayers who bear the cost of supporting adults with needs that could have been reduced with appropriate therapies
EDUCATE YOURSELF!
Read through the resource links and the Autism Advocate's Action Kit to learn about the many ways you can take action! The Action Kit includes contact information for all Delaware legislators and is particularly helpful for many of the suggestions below.
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS!
Come to Legislative Hall in Dover or meet them at a neighborhood coffee hour. You can even invite them to your home! If you can't get there in person, a phone call is best, but a letter or email is good too- anything that tells them they have constituents who want to see this bill passed. Links to learn who your legislators are and how to reach them are listed under Government Links.
TELL THE WORLD!
SB22 needs the support of more than just the autism community. We need the support of family, friends- as many Delawareans as possible! Writing a letter to the newspaper puts the issue in front of hundreds if not thousands of readers, and legislators do read them. Ask people to take action via Facebook or your blog.