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Rally for autism insurance coverage set for Wednesday
Representatives from the Dayton area are expected to be among hundreds of advocates rallying at the Statehouse in Columbus on Wednesday, April 14, to push for final action on legislation prohibiting insurers from excluding coverage for autism services.
“I think we’re finally getting the message out,” said Mindy Poist of Dayton, who has a son, Jeff, 12, with autism.
Here in Columbus, however, the effort appears stuck in the Republican-controlled Senate where President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, is cool to the proposal.
“He’s concerned about placing additional mandates and costs on businesses when we’re trying to create jobs,” said Maggie Ostrowski, Harris’ spokeswoman.
House Bill 8 moved to the Senate after the House, controlled by Democrats, approved it on Dec. 8.
Poist said the push is on to get a bill passed before the current legislature finishes up at the end of the year.
“What happens if we meander to the end of the year? Then we start all over again,” said Poist, secretary of Dayton Area Families for Effective Autism Treatment.
Currently, 15 other states, including Pennsylvania and Indiana, require coverage for autism, according to advocates.
The rally on the south lawn of the Statehouse is set to start at 11 a.m. with Stanley Jackson, a former Ohio State University quarterback, as special guest speaker.
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Comments
By Denise
April 15, 2010 9:37 PM | Link to this
Who fights these lobbyists, Beth? Who are the lobbyist leaders who need to be talked to? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
By Lilticked
April 15, 2010 8:15 PM | Link to this
That figures, Shannon Jones dist. 7 is boasting about her endorsement from NFIB.
By Beth
April 14, 2010 8:46 AM | Link to this
Good luck with this! Remember how laws are made is not what we learn in school. The NFIB, the chambers and manufactures associations all work to stop this. In private they mock you as being boo hoo stories. You need to take it to those who fight with the lobbyist. PA covers it for everyone in that state. Ohio should too. Autism strike anyone and everyone. It does respond to treatment. Look behind the elected officials and start talking to the lobbyist who are your real enemy. I hope you win this, it is long overdue.