woooooooooooooooooooooooooo haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

May 31, 2009

The House and Senate both overwhelmingly passed the insurance bill

today before the 12pm deadline and now it’s on its way to the Governor’s

desk for signature.

I know the whole process has been very different this time—not

as much involvement from the community at the time it happens. . . . . .and

that has felt very weird to me as well.

But it’s no less important or no less exciting that now

children on STATE regulated plans will be covered through their 10th

b-day!!!!!

Please everyone take a minute and go to the website www.texasautismadvocacy and take

action now, and click on your senator and representatives e-mail to send them a

huge Texas thank you for choosing to support families affected by autism.

Also, if you want, it would be such a nice touch to send a thank you

note with a picture of your child to

Rep. Dr. Alma ’s office

Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.’s office

And if you have more time:

Rep. Eddie Lucio III (he’s responsible for add the language

to accommodate teachers).

Rep Senfronia

please, please please---it’s so important to remember to say

thank you, and . . . .

don’t forget about thanking Mike. I promise you he worked

and sweated bullets on this and went over and beyond the call of duty weekdays

and holidays to get this through. Please send him a thank you too—because

not too many people are ready to give up time with their kids to work to

improve things for people in general.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Hugs to everyone!!!!!! I’m doin’ the happy dance and

I hope you are too!

S.

" Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit

from revolutionists and rebels - men and women

who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine.

As their heirs, may we never confuse honest

dissent with disloyal subversion. "

Dwight D. Eisenhower

May 31, 2009

Not to mention that this Autism is not terminal. So what about beyond 18? What about their 20's, 30's, 40's, etc??? Some of out children are severe and will need long term care. What about them?

Regina

Sorry to ask a stupid question but I feel like I've been living on a different planet lately (I fell and dislocated my shoulder and have been in & out of hospitals and clinics a lot lately) when I first read the history/author of the bill info, I thought I read the age range was 0-18. When was the age range changed to 0 through 10? Was that part of the re-writing of the bill or a compromise? My sweet child turned 10 in March so my excitement once again is for " other " families' children, but not for mine. My insurance does cover my son's speech and OT but wouldn't it be nice if it would cover behavior based programs too?

R.

woooooooooooooooooooooooooo haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

The House and Senate both overwhelmingly passed the insurance bill today before the 12pm deadline and now it’s on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature.

I know the whole process has been very different this time—not as much involvement from the community at the time it happens. . . . . .and that has felt very weird to me as well.

But it’s no less important or no less exciting that now children on STATE regulated plans will be covered through their 10th b-day!!!!!

Please everyone take a minute and go to the website www.texasautismadvocacy and take action now, and click on your senator and representatives e-mail to send them a huge Texas thank you for choosing to support families affected by autism.

Also, if you want, it would be such a nice touch to send a thank you note with a picture of your child to Rep. Dr. Alma ’s office

Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.’s office

And if you have more time:

Rep. Eddie Lucio III (he’s responsible for add the language to accommodate teachers).

Rep Senfronia

please, please please---it’s so important to remember to say thank you, and . . . .

don’t forget about thanking Mike. I promise you he worked and sweated bullets on this and went over and beyond the call of duty weekdays and holidays to get this through. Please send him a thank you too—because not too many people are ready to give up time with their kids to work to improve things for people in general.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Hugs to everyone!!!!!! I’m doin’ the happy dance and I hope you are too!

S.

" Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit

from revolutionists and rebels - men and women

who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine.

As their heirs, may we never confuse honest

dissent with disloyal subversion. " Dwight D. Eisenhower

Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off to learn how.

-- Regina Radulski

May 31, 2009

remember they were just covered thru age 5, now to 10--it is growing, they are at least convinced there is an issue to be served. Maybe next year we can get it to 15 or above, we just needed this passed to get a base to increase off again. Aren't the severe kids eligible for Medicaid based on their own income (zero $) once they hit 18??

Bonnie, mom to 11/27/04, Autism, Albinism, Hyperlexia, waiting for testing for WS

Not to mention that this Autism is not terminal. So what about beyond 18? What about their 20's, 30's, 40's, etc??? Some of out children are severe and will need long term care. What about them?

Regina

Sorry to ask a stupid question but I feel like I've been living on a different planet lately (I fell and dislocated my shoulder and have been in & out of hospitals and clinics a lot lately) when I first read the history/author of the bill info, I thought I read the age range was 0-18. When was the age range changed to 0 through 10? Was that part of the re-writing of the bill or a compromise? My sweet child turned 10 in March so my excitement once again is for " other " families' children, but not for mine. My insurance does cover my son's speech and OT but wouldn't it be nice if it would cover behavior based programs too?

R.

woooooooooooooooooooooooooo haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

The House and Senate both overwhelmingly passed the insurance bill today before the 12pm deadline and now it’s on its way to the Governor’s desk for signature.

I know the whole process has been very different this time—not as much involvement from the community at the time it happens. . . . . .and that has felt very weird to me as well.

But it’s no less important or no less exciting that now children on STATE regulated plans will be covered through their 10th b-day!!!!!

Please everyone take a minute and go to the website www.texasautismadvocacy and take action now, and click on your senator and representatives e-mail to send them a huge Texas thank you for choosing to support families affected by autism.

Also, if you want, it would be such a nice touch to send a thank you note with a picture of your child to Rep. Dr. Alma ’s office

Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.’s office

And if you have more time:

Rep. Eddie Lucio III (he’s responsible for add the language to accommodate teachers).

Rep Senfronia

please, please please---it’s so important to remember to say thank you, and . . . .

don’t forget about thanking Mike. I promise you he worked and sweated bullets on this and went over and beyond the call of duty weekdays and holidays to get this through. Please send him a thank you too—because not too many people are ready to give up time with their kids to work to improve things for people in general.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Hugs to everyone!!!!!! I’m doin’ the happy dance and I hope you are too!

S.

" Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit

from revolutionists and rebels - men and women

who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine.

As their heirs, may we never confuse honest

dissent with disloyal subversion. " Dwight D. Eisenhower

Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off to learn how.

-- Regina Radulski

May 31, 2009

Regina,

Children with autism should be on CLASS, HCS or other appropriate medicaid

waiver 'interest' lists. That would qualify them for medicaid once they get to

the top of the list and are qualified for a spot. That will be their insurance

I am assuming.

Nagla

>

> > Sorry to ask a stupid question but I feel like I've been living on a

> > different planet lately (I fell and dislocated my shoulder and have been in

> > & out of hospitals and clinics a lot lately) when I first read the

> > history/author of the bill info, I thought I read the age range was 0-18.

> > When was the age range changed to 0 through 10? Was that part of the

> > re-writing of the bill or a compromise? My sweet child turned 10 in March

> > so my excitement once again is for " other " families' children, but not for

> > mine. My insurance does cover my son's speech and OT but wouldn't it be nice

> > if it would cover behavior based programs too?

> >

> > R.

> >

> > woooooooooooooooooooooooooo

> > haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

> >

> > The House and Senate both overwhelmingly passed the insurance bill today

> > before the 12pm deadline and now it's on its way to the Governor's desk for

> > signature.

> >

> > I know the whole process has been very different this time—not as much

> > involvement from the community at the time it happens. . . . . .and that has

> > felt very weird to me as well.

> >

> > But it's no less important or no less exciting that now children on STATE

> > regulated plans will be covered through their 10th b-day!!!!!

> >

> > Please everyone take a minute and go to the website

> > www.texasautismadvocacy and take action now, and click on your senator and

> > representatives e-mail to send them a huge Texas thank you for choosing to

> > support families affected by autism.

> >

> > Also, if you want, it would be such a nice touch to send a thank you note

> > with a picture of your child to

> > Rep. Dr. Alma 's office

> > Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.'s office

> >

> > And if you have more time:

> > Rep. Eddie Lucio III (he's responsible for add the language to accommodate

> > teachers).

> > Rep Senfronia

> >

> > please, please please---it's so important to remember to say thank you, and

> > . . . .

> >

> > don't forget about thanking Mike. I promise you he worked and sweated

> > bullets on this and went over and beyond the call of duty weekdays and

> > holidays to get this through. Please send him a thank you too—because

> > not too many people are ready to give up time with their kids to work to

> > improve things for people in general.

> >

> > YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

> > HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

> >

> > Hugs to everyone!!!!!! I'm doin' the happy dance and I hope you are too!

> >

> > S.

> >

> > " Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit

> > from revolutionists and rebels - men and women

> > who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine.

> > As their heirs, may we never confuse honest

> > dissent with disloyal subversion. "

> > Dwight D. Eisenhower

> >

> > ------------------------------

> > Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it

Off<http://www.aolhealth.com/diet/weight-loss-program/?ncid=emlcntusheal00000001\

>to learn how.

> >

>

> --

> Regina Radulski

>

May 31, 2009

Well my kids are on those waiting lists, along with 88,000 others. Let's see how many years that takes to get through. Probably 10 years. I hear once they get approved for the medicaid waiver it is the " cadillac " of all services. But then I've also heard that that cadillac doesn't come with tires, or an engine...

Regina,Children with autism should be on CLASS, HCS or other appropriate medicaid waiver 'interest' lists. That would qualify them for medicaid once they get to the top of the list and are qualified for a spot. That will be their insurance I am assuming.

Nagla

> > > Sorry to ask a stupid question but I feel like I've been living on a> > different planet lately (I fell and dislocated my shoulder and have been in

> > & out of hospitals and clinics a lot lately) when I first read the> > history/author of the bill info, I thought I read the age range was 0-18.> > When was the age range changed to 0 through 10? Was that part of the

> > re-writing of the bill or a compromise? My sweet child turned 10 in March> > so my excitement once again is for " other " families' children, but not for> > mine. My insurance does cover my son's speech and OT but wouldn't it be nice

> > if it would cover behavior based programs too?> >> > R.> >> >> > woooooooooooooooooooooooooo> > haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!> >> >> >> > The House and Senate both overwhelmingly passed the insurance bill today

> > before the 12pm deadline and now it's on its way to the Governor's desk for> > signature.> >> > I know the whole process has been very different this time—not as much> > involvement from the community at the time it happens. . . . . .and that has

> > felt very weird to me as well.> >> > But it's no less important or no less exciting that now children on STATE> > regulated plans will be covered through their 10th b-day!!!!!

> >> >> > Please everyone take a minute and go to the website> > www.texasautismadvocacy and take action now, and click on your senator and> > representatives e-mail to send them a huge Texas thank you for choosing to

> > support families affected by autism.> >> > Also, if you want, it would be such a nice touch to send a thank you note> > with a picture of your child to> > Rep. Dr. Alma 's office

> > Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.'s office> >> > And if you have more time:> > Rep. Eddie Lucio III (he's responsible for add the language to accommodate> > teachers).> > Rep Senfronia

> >> >> > please, please please---it's so important to remember to say thank you, and> > . . . .> >> > don't forget about thanking Mike. I promise you he worked and sweated

> > bullets on this and went over and beyond the call of duty weekdays and> > holidays to get this through. Please send him a thank you too—because> > not too many people are ready to give up time with their kids to work to

> > improve things for people in general.> >> >> > YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE> > HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA> >> >> > Hugs to everyone!!!!!! I'm doin' the happy dance and I hope you are too!

> >> > S.> >> >> >> > " Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit> > from revolutionists and rebels - men and women> > who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine.

> > As their heirs, may we never confuse honest> > dissent with disloyal subversion. " > > Dwight D. Eisenhower> >> >> > ------------------------------

> > Wanna slim down for summer? Go to America Takes it Off<http://www.aolhealth.com/diet/weight-loss-program/?ncid=emlcntusheal00000001>to learn how.

> >> > > > -- > Regina Radulski>

-- Regina Radulski

May 31, 2009

No it's not a stupid question. It's a sad state on the short sightedness on

some of the legislators.

The bottom line is all those Republicans on the House Insurance Committee really

don't like insurance mandates.

The bill had to make certain deadlines all the way through the process or it

would have died, and believe me it nearly died a LOT. This was the bill with 9

lives.

The Republicans on the House Insurance Committee absolutely would not let a bill

that went from 0 - 18 with no dollar caps on it out of the committee.

Every bill that has been passed in every state has dollar caps except for the

Texas bill because ours was so age limited. Some of those caps are extreme.

In Louisiana, they have 0 - 21 coverage, but they have a dollar cap on annual

services at $36,000/year. That's it. For everything. $36,000.

It was a tough decision to make, but we went with age caps over dollar caps

because age caps are easier to fix in the long run.

Last time, I said that I'd go back to fight for and expanded age range, and we

got a tripling of the coverage. It's not great, but sometimes things have to be

done in incremental steps.

S.

PS My son turns 11 in 3 weeks, and I did all this work on a bill that we're not

even going to be able to personally benefit from.

>

> Sorry to ask a stupid question but I feel like I've been living on a different

planet latelyÂ (I fell and dislocated my shoulder and have been in & out of

hospitals and clinics a lot lately) when I first read the history/author of the

billÂ info, I thought I read the age range was 0-18. When was the age range

changed to 0 through 10?Â Was that part of the re-writing of the bill orÂ a

compromise? Â My sweet child turned 10 in March so my excitement once again is

for " other " Â families' children, but not for mine. My insurance does cover my

son's speech and OT but wouldn't it be nice if it would cover behavior based

programs too?

>

> R.

>

> woooooooooooooooooooooooooo

haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

>

> The House and Senate both overwhelmingly passed the insurance bill today

before the 12pm deadline and now itâ€™s on its way to the Governorâ€™s desk for

signature.

>

> Â

>

> I know the whole process has been very different this timeâ€ " not as much

involvement from the community at the time it happens. . . . . .and that has

feltÂ very weird to me as well.

>

> Â

>

> But itâ€™s no less important or no less exciting that now children on STATE

regulated plans will be covered through their 10th b-day!!!!!

>

> Â

>

> Â

>

> Please everyone take a minute a

> nd go to the website www.texasautismadvocacy and take action now, and click on

your senator and representatives e-mail to send them a huge Texas thank you for

choosing to support families affected by autism.Â

>

> Â

>

> Also, if you want, it would be such a nice touch to send a thank you note with

a picture of your child to

> Rep. Dr. Alma â€™s office

>

> Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.â€™s office

>

> Â

>

> And if you have more time:

>

> Rep. Eddie Lucio III (heâ€™s responsible for add the language to accommodate

teachers).

>

> Rep Senfronia

>

> Â

>

> Â

>

> please, please please---itâ€™s so important to remember to say thank you, and

.. . . .

>

> Â

>

> donâ€™t forget about thanking Mike.Â I promise you he worked and sweated

bullets on this and went over and beyond the call of duty weekdays and holidays

to get this through.Â Please send him a thank you tooâ€ " because Â Â Â not too

many people are ready to give up time with their kids to work to improve things

for people in general.

>

> Â

>

> Â

>

> YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

>

> HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

>

> Â

>

> Â

>

> Hugs to everyone!!!!!!Â Iâ€™m doinâ€™ the happy dance and I hope you are too!

>

> S.

>

> Â

>

> Â

>

> Â

>

> " Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit

>

> from revolutionists and rebels - men and women

>

> who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine.

>

> As their heirs, may we never confuse honest

>

> d

> issent with disloyal subversion. "

> Dwight D. Eisenhower

>

> Â

>

May 31, 2009

Parents can only carry CHILDREN on their policies. That's why any of the state

mandates are dealing with age ranges of 21 or under.

Once a child turns in to an adult (and Irma, Martha, other people who know the

adult issue better than I. . . . .) they will go on Medicaid as an adult with a

disability. Now the best thing is to get them in the Community Based

Alternatives or keep them in one of the other Medicaid waivers that they could

qualify for earlier like CLASS or HCS.