A License Plate for Erectile Dysfunction Awareness?

In Oklahoma, bitterness over the partisanship defeat of autism insurance coverage continues.

Yesterday the House passed SB 2, a bill that would create an autism awareness licnese plate, among others, but Democratic Floor Leader Mike Brown suggested the priorities of House Republicans might be better reflected by a license plate to raise (sorry) awareness of erectile dysfunction. Going back to last session, a proposal to mandate insurance coverage for autism faced stiff (sorry) opposition from Republicans.

After losing that battle, Rep. Brown in February introduced an amendment saying no Oklahoma insurance carrier could provide coverage for erectile dysfunction unless they also provided coverage for autism spectrum disorders. The amendment was defeated along party lines, 59-37.

"Every Republican in the House chamber that day...voted against my amendment," Rep. Brown said. "They are on the record as saying that sexual pleasure is more important than the health of children with autism and the struggles of their families. Since my Republican colleagues already voted once that they don't believe insurance coverage for autism treatment is at least as important as coverage for erectile dysfunction therapies, I would have expected them to be consistent and promote erectile dysfunction awareness right alongside autism awareness."

Another Vote in Oklahoma

As you may have read in the post below, Oklahoma legislators have rejected a bill to require insurance companies to cover autism services. The Tulsa World has an online poll you should take.

When I just took it, 267 people had said yes, insurance companies should be required to cover autism services. Just 13 had said no. While newspaper polls are far from scientific, it's interesting that 95 percent of Oklahomans took a position that their elected officials oppose.

Support Insurance for Autism? Lessons from Oklahoma

I am disgusted by what's been going on in the Oklahoma "debate" over insurance coverage for autism services. The proposal was defeated last week, and it's a classic example of partisan politics and special interests overpowering the real needs of real constituents. If you think your state and other states should support insurance coverage for autism, pay attention to what's happened in Oklahoma, get mad about it, and fight even harder in your own state to avoid this kind of result. Sign up for email updates at autismvotes.org to get information about what's happening in your state, and what you can do to help.

As background, and this is not a criticism, Oklahoma is as Republican as a state can be. In the November presidential election, 65 percent of Oklahomans voted for McCain-Palin -- the largest Republican margin in the country. Looking closer at those results, you won't find a spec of blue in the state -- not a single county went Democratic. With that huge victory, Republicans assumed even greater control of the legislature and immediately made procedural changes that ensured they would not have any debate about any issue they didn't want to discuss. They also declared that if an issue (like autism insurance) was defeated, no one could propose it again for two years. Can you imagine the backlash there would be if either party tried to run the U.S. Congress this way? Do the terms "democracy" and "representation" mean nothing in today's Oklahoma?

Something else you should know about Oklahoma: Its daily newspaper has been named one of the worst (and most partisan) papers in the country. Take a look at what they paper's official editorial had to say today:
"Group health care premiums in Oklahoma would likely get a lot bigger if the state adds an autism treatment mandate. Lawmakers last week rejected the mandate, but the fight isn’t over. Mandate supporter Rep. Mike Brown, D-Tahlequah, taunted opponents by saying, 'Who’s running this, the insurance companies or you legislators?' He should worry instead about running off insurance companies and running up the uninsured numbers."

Rep. Brown's question -- far from "taunting" -- is what every Oklahoma family affected by this issue should be asking. And it's preposterous to say that Rep. Brown, the families who testified, and others who care about this issue shouldn't worry about this topic. Because what they're worried about is children with autism and the parents who care for them. (Read the posted comments after the editorial to see the emotional reaction of many families.)

The Oklahoma proposal, "Nick's Law," was named for the son of Wayne Rohde, who has put up an admirable fight under extremely difficult services. Some opponents of the legislation have openly suggested that people who don't like the law should move to another state. But I hope Wayne and other family advocates will keep fighting -- and make things very uncomfortable for elected officials who put special interests ahead of the needs of some of their most vulnerable constituents. Read more about Nick's Law and what may come next at http://nickslawok.blogspot.com.

Insurance for Autism: More State Updates

In Oklahoma, still debating "Nick's Law," a study shows that requiring insurance for autism would have little effect on insurance costs. Proposed legislation in Connecticut would require insurers to pay for physician-prescribed diagnostic assessments that can cost families $1,500 to $5,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.

Read about these and other states' actions in Montana, Utah, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and more at autismvotes.org.

Partisanship Threatens Autism Insurance in Oklahoma

Another political battle is brewing in the Oklahoma legislature, with Democrats continuing to push for increased insurance coverage, while Republicans fight back with proposals that would simply provide more training for specialists and therapists. Democratic Rep. Wallace Collins: "I’m heartened to hear that House Republicans are interested in increasing training for autism specialists, but what I want to know is, what are they going to do for families who need help now? Do they expect parents of children with autism in our state to sit back and wait for ‘market forces’ to help their children?" Read more.

In Utah, legislation was proposed yesterday to require insurance companies to cover up to $50,000 a year in autism therapy for children up to age 9, and $25,000 for treatment for children between 9 and 17. The chief sponsor is the Republican House speaker. Read more.

Tough Times for Oklahoma Program

I'm back from a week of vacation in Oklahoma, and I couldn't get away from news about the economic downturn is affecting children with special needs. On Jan. 2, the top headline was "Economy Hurts Autism Care in Oklahoma." For 2- to 5-year-olds enrolled in the Easter Seals Autism Therapeutic School in Oklahoma City, a funding shortfall will mean a 50 percent reduction in services.

After winning a lottery for one of 15 spots, these families will now get only 20 hours of therapy for their children -- down from 40 -- and there are no guarantees the program will continue past May.