77(R) SB 427

[Guest guest]

Hey:

Attached is a sample letter that y'all may use or pass on to anyone who will

write their State Senator. It's crunch time, so flood them. Adapt it to suit

your situation.

Peacefully,

Jeff Sell

(office)

(v-mail)

JZSell@... (office)

jzsell@... (home)

Texas Legislature Online - Bill History 77® SB 427

Please write your state representatives, to request support for this bill. It

will require Insurance Agencies to cover the cost of ABA in Home therapy for

Autistic children in Texas starting January, 2002.

Also, please pass on to anyone you know who might be inclined to send a letter.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/db2www/tlo/billhist/billhist.d2w/report?L\

EG=77 & SESS=R & CHAMBER=S & BILLTYPE=B & BILLSUFFIX=00427

[Guest guest]

sorry, I forgot that the list doesn't take attachments, so, see below.

Peacefully,

Jeff Sell

(office)

(v-mail)

JZSell@... (office)

jzsell@... (home)

The Honorable Eddie Lucio, Jr. VIA FAX:

P.O. Box 12068 AND FIRST CLASS MAIL

Capitol Station

Austin, Texas 78711

Re: SB 427

Dear Senator Lucio;

Thank you so very much for authoring SB 427. I am a long-time resident of

Texas and, more importantly, the father of six (6) year old twins,

and ph. My sons are autistic, and, I am proud to inform you that they

are the " poster boys " for the Autism Society of America. I am also the 3rd

Vice President of that organization, and I serve on the board of directors

of a few other disability organizations as well.

As you may know, autism is a devastating neurological disorder that effects

1 out of every 250-350 citizens throughout Texas, and the Nation. Parents

of autistic children lead challenging lives to say the least. One of our

biggest challenges relates to insurance coverage for this medical disorder.

Far too many folks are wrongfully denied coverage for reasonably necessary

medical treatment where coverage arguably exists. Other policies simply

exclude treatment for autism spectrum disorders for outdated reasons or

simple ignorance. Surprisingly, some insurance companies still erroneously

classify autism as a " psychiatric disorder " , when that is clearly not the

case, nor has it been so classified by the medical community since 1965. I,

as an attorney have been forced to explain this very issue to my family's

own HMO on several occasions. It has not been an easy task.

It's time to move forward and mandate coverage in exchange for the premium

dollars that such companies have been receiving for years. Thousands of

parents of autistic children, and, autistic adults, respectfully demand

nothing less

Early intervention, necessary medical treatment and therapy have proven

track records throughout the word and such medically accepted interventions

are the key to unlock the box that our children and loved ones are locked

in. We do not seek a handout; rather, we are merely seeking to obtain

insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders without undue delay.

I am willing to help in any way you deem necessary.

Hon. Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Pg. 2

__________________

Thank you for your time and service to our State.

Sincerely,

HITT & PATTERSON

Z. Sell

> Hey:

> Attached is a sample letter that y'all may use or pass on to anyone

who will write their State Senator. It's crunch time, so flood them. Adapt

it to suit your situation.

> Peacefully,

> Jeff Sell

> (office)

> (v-mail)

> JZSell@... (office)

> jzsell@... (home)

>

>

> Subject: Texas Legislature Online - Bill History 77® SB 427

>

>

> Please write your state representatives, to request support for this bill.

It will require Insurance Agencies to cover the cost of ABA in Home therapy

for Autistic children in Texas starting January, 2002.

> Also, please pass on to anyone you know who might be inclined to send a

letter.

>

>

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/db2www/tlo/billhist/billhist.d2w/repo

rt?LEG=77 & SESS=R & CHAMBER=S & BILLTYPE=B & BILLSUFFIX=00427

>