Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Important Information: Let Our Voices Be Heard!

Do you receive ABA services? Whether from In Stepps or elsewhere.... please read this information carefully, as it affects us all. Let's all do our part to get this passed!

Update:
The California legislature passed autism insurance reform! The bill (SB 946) passed through both the Assembly & Senate on Friday, the last day of the session. We still have to obtain Governor Brown's signature before October 9th!


Click this link for more information: Autism Speaks Hails California Legislature for Final Passage of Autism Insurance Bill, Urges Gov. Brown to Sign SB 946 into Law

Here's a direct link to Governor Brown's email. Please click on this link and encourage him to vote "yes" on SB946 today!

What is SB 946?
Read the bill in it's entirety here.

SB 946 authored by Darrel Steinberg, Senate Pro Tem which was heard in the Assembly Health Committee.  IF SB 946 is passed by both the Assembly and the Senate – and signed by Governor Brown – it will significantly improve access to ABA treatment provided by qualified professionals.

Here are the facts:

1.     SB 946 (Steinberg) is a health plan coverage mandate for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  It will mandate coverage of ABA services by Board Certified Behavior Analysts beginning July 1, 2012.  Click here to read SB 946.
2.     It is THE health plan coverage mandate for behavioral health treatments for Californians with autism spectrum disorders (replaces SB 770, AB 161, AB 171).
3.     It differs from the settlements DMHC reached with Blue Cross and Blue Shield this summer because (a) it mandates behavioral health treatment for all health plans (not just ones involved in settlements) and it names BCBAs as providers. This means that BCBAs would be deemed qualified to supervise treatment plans.   

What you need to do TODAY:
1.) Call, email, or fax Governor Brown and ask him to vote “yes” on SB 946.
2.) Alert 5 colleagues, consumers, families and other concerned individuals to the important action taking place.  

WE NEED EVERYONE TO TAKE ACTION.  DON’T ASSUME THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL DO IT.
  
Got an extra minute? Thank Senator Steinberg for his leadership in authoring SB 946. Fax:  (916) 323-2263 Phone:  (916) 651-4006

Questions?  Contact CalABA at info@calaba.org
Click here to stay informed!

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