REMINDER!! Tomorrow, November 19, 2008 at 1pm, the Virginia Mandated Benefits Commission (MBC) will announce its recommendation regarding House Bill 1588. This is a crucial time for families in Virginia that are dealing with the realities of autism.
HB 1588 will provides up to $36,000 a year in coverage for life-changing treatments, including applied behavior analysis, for children with autism. But first, the bill must receive a favorable recommendation from the MBC.
Virginians have responded to the call for action, and have inundated the members of the MBC with phone calls and e-mails. You've told them your stories. You have educated them politely and persistently, repeating the following message:
Autism is treatable. Insurance should cover treatment. Virginia families need help now!
It's time to remind the members of the MBC one last time.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1. CONTACT THE MBC MEMBERS ONE MORE TIME! Today and tomorrow before the MBC meeting it is crucial that every legislator who sits on the MBC hear this clear message over and over: Autism is treatable. Insurance should cover treatment. Be polite and persistent. Ask them to say "yes" to our children (who so often hear the word "no") and to HB 1588.
The Commission Members are:
Delegate Clay Athey - (540) 635-2123
Delegate Tim Hugo - (703) 968-4101
Delegate Terry Kilgore - (276) 386-7011
Delegate Donald Merricks - (434) 836-3370
Senator George Barker - (703) 303-1426
Senator A. Donald McEachin - (804) 226-4111
No matter what district you live in, please contact all of these legislators.
2. SEND AN EMAIL to the legislators on the Commission! It's very simple. You don't even need to know their email address! Just click and send!
3. ATTEND THE MBC MEETING ON WEDNESDAY. The MBC was completely surprised by the large show of support at the hearing in September. Let's show them again that autism is something that affects countless families across the Commonwealth. Meet by the clock just outside the General Assembly Building in Richmond at 12:30 pm. (For information about parking, please click here.) Please wear red and come to stand united as MBC votes on the future of our children.
4. FORWARD THIS ACTION ALERT to everyone you know! For those who are constantly looking for ways to provide support to families struggling with the challenges of autism, this is a fantastic, easy way to step up. Ask them to contact each of these legislators in support of HB 1588. Ask them to ask everyone they know to do they same. We need to flood their phone lines, fax lines and e-mail inboxes.
5. REGISTER AT AUTISM VOTES! It’s quick and easy. You will then receive e-mail alerts any time action needs to be taken in the Commonwealth. Ask your friends, neighbors and family to register at Autism Votes as well. We need thousands of voices if we plan to succeed in our effort to end discrimination against our loved ones with autism.
The clock is ticking and it is crucial that we speak for our children NOW. Thank you for your commitment to making insurance coverage for autism a reality in Virginia.
For more information on the Virginia autism insurance initiative, go to www.autismvotes.org/virginia.
Warm regards,
Judith Ursitti
Regional Director State Advocacy Relations
Autism Speaks
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