The Oregon SB1 Advisory Committee has scheduled a meeting with a presentation on AUTISM

**ACTION ALERT-please forward to anyone who would be interested or affected
THANK YOU**

Monday, March 13, 2006
1-3pm
Room 260 Labor & Industry Building
350 Winter St NE
Salem, Oregon

Map http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=350+Winter+St+NE&csz=Salem%C+OR&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
Detailed directions and parking info--about 2/3 down the page http://www.oregon.gov/DCBS/directions.shtml#Directions___Maps

Background: The SB1 Advisory Committee is developing Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) resulting from the Mental Health Parity Law passed in 2005. The Committee is addressing various aspects of health insurance coverage--including allowed treatments and exclusions to coverage. The outcome of these OARs will impact how and what is covered in health insurance policies under the category of DSM-IV-TR and ICD-9 disorders. While the work of the Committee is not widely publicized, the impact of these recommendations and OARs will be immediately signifcant to those seeking and receiving coverage under health insurance plans---this is too important to leave to chance, and the time for testimony is NOW.

If you know any other stakeholders who are unaware of these meetings or this period for testimony and input, please send them a copy of this email.

On March 13, expert speakers will be addressing the Committee to discuss the neurological, therapeutic and medical needs of those on the spectrum.  Tenative scheduled speakers include Geraldine Dawson, PhD, University of Washington, Gerald L. Shook, Executive Director of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, and parents of children who have had successful outcomes through different therapeutic approaches. This is a regular meeting of the SB1 Advisory Committee and the public is welcome.

This discussion of autism in particular is occurring because of the outstanding interest in the issue by Oregon parents and the many letters sent to the Committee addressing the disparity in health insurance coverage because of an autism diagnosis.

PLEASE attend this meeting and put a face on our concerns and interests.

If you can't make the March 13 meeting---THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY at the Public Comment meeting.on MARCH 20, 4-8 pm.  The press has been invited. Location is same as for the March 13 meeting.

If everyone who has written a letter, contacted the Committee or is interested in the issue could come to either or both meetings, we could pack the room and convince the Committee that the outcome of these meetings are important to us!
 
If you have not yet done so, please contact the SB1 Advisory Committee by email, letter and/or phone and tell them why accessible health insurance coverage of treatments for autism spectrum disorders is important to Oregon families and crucial for their children with autism. If you have testimony about the personal or financial hardship suffered because of lack of access--let them know. If you believe that early intervention treatment and continued therapeutic support is important to the health, outcome and future quality of life for Oregon's children with autism---let them know. Any facts, studies, or statistics that you can provide will help the Committee understand why you believe that this is a vitally important issue.

If you have already written to to the Committee...THANK YOU; PLEASE SEND COPIES of your letter(s) to your Legislators and the Governor so that we can increase awareness of our interests among our State Legislative and Executive decisionmakers. While the current developments are a potentially positive first step that our interests are being heard---future action may be needed and this is a great opportunity to act AND INFORM.

CONTACT INFORMATION/WHERE TO SEND LETTERS/FOR MORE INFO
To submit a letter for the SB1 Advisory Committee,
for more information/ to obtain a copy of the Committee's working draft, and notes to date,
SB1 Advisory Committee contact:

Shelley D Bain, JD
Senior Policy Analyst,
Oregon Insurance Division
350 Winter St NE Room 440
Salem, Oregon
Email: shelley.d.bain@state.or.us
Phone: 503-947-7216
Fax: 503-378-4351
MAIL:
P.O. Box 14480
Salem, OR 97309-0405

For more immediate assistance
Elizabeth A. McMahon
Administrative Assistant
(503)947-7001
Elizabeth.A.McMahon@state.or.us

Posted minutes and other committee info
http://www.oregoninsurance.org/docs/committees/sb1-advisory_committee.htm


FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE SB1 ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A meeting for Public input is also scheduled for March 20, 2006; 4-8pm
at the same location as the March 13 meeting.
Other regular meetings
http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/ins/docs/committees/sb1-advisory_committee.htm


BUILDING AWARENESS OF OUR PRESENCE AND OUR CONCERNS
The interim period in the Legislature is a good time to inform decisionmakers, develop Legislative allies, and advance agendas. Any facts, studies, or statistics that you can provide will help them understand why these matters are important not only to the health of our children but the health of our state.

Forward a copy of your letter/write to your legislator, Governor and the Oregon Senate Committee on Children's Health that has a relevant interest in our children with autism and decisionmaking power in backing legislation to help and support our children:

Your senator or representative
online:
http://www.leg.state.or.us/writelegsltr/
MAIL--info--Interim session contact info
http://www.leg.state.or.us/mailing_labels/legislator_quickcard.pdf

Governor Ted Kulongoski
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/contact_us.shtml
MAIL
Governor Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
PHONE
Governor's Citizens' Representative Message Line
503.378.4582
FAX  503.378.6827

OREGON SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH
Since the Committee on Children's Health is meeting during the interim session, this is a good time for you to contact the members about the issues you have concerning the need for accessibility to effective autism treatment. Their first scheduled informal meeting is March 30, 2006.

Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, Chair
Party: D  District: 25
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1725
Interim Phone: 503-618-3071
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-310, Salem, OR, 97301
Interim Address: PO Box 1531 , Gresham, OR, 97030
Email: sen.lauriemonnesanderson@state.or.us
Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/monnesanderson

Senator Jackie Winters, Vice-Chair
Party: R  District: 10
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-212, Salem, OR, 97301
Email: sen.jackiewinters@state.or.us
Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/winters

Senator Margaret Carter
Party: D  District: 22
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1722
District Phone: 503-282-6846
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-311, Salem, OR, 97301
District Office Address: P.O. Box 3722 , Portland, OR, 97212
Email: sen.margaretcarter@state.or.us
Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/carter
 
Senator Jeff Kruse
Party: R  District: 1
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1701
Interim Phone: 541-673-7201
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-215, Salem, OR, 97301
Interim Address: 636 Wild Iris Lane, Roseburg, OR, 97470
Email: sen.jeffkruse@state.or.us
Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/kruse
 
Senator Bill Morrisette
Party: D  District: 6
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1706
Interim Phone: 541-746-1378
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-306 , Salem, OR, 97301
Interim Address: 348 G Street, Springfield, OR, 97477
Email: sen.billmorrisette@state.or.us
Website: http://www.leg.state.or.us/morrisette

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               It all blends together, we are like a symphony, and each part is crucial.
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...Sondra Williams

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