Legislative Update
February 16, 2010:  Jefferson City

Autism insurance reform moving ...
HOUSE BILL to finally come to floor for debate!

He may be "Just a bill ... "  but he is MOVING!  The old song tells the story ... it is a long process for a bill to become a law.  The good news is the autism insurance bills are alive and somewhat at the forefront lately!!!

The HOUSE bill is expected to be debated today, Tuesday, Feb 16, on the House floor.  This will be the first time that an autism insurance bill has made it to the House floor for debate. 

In committee, the two House autism insurance bills were "combined", or rather, a substitute bill was offered.  The House bill, while seemingly battered, scarred, and weakened in its language after coming out of its first committee, still has life left in it. 

The SENATE bill has been perfected, which means the language has been finalized, and it has passed its first floor vote.  It is now in another committee, Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight, and must pass through an approval vote there before heading back to the Senate floor for a final vote.

To listen in on the floor debate, go the MO House of Rep website.  (Morning session starts at 10:00 am.) 



THE BUZZ:   
If in fact the autism bill is debated on the house floor this week, most expect it to pass, but the specifics of the language probably won't be too pleasing to the autism community, as we have seen this bill being changed and altered in committee. 
But we are continually reminded that "Nothing is final until it is final!"  The Senate version has retained much of its original language, and the Senate has seemed much more friendly in general to adding autism insurance coverage. 
As with most bills, if they are lucky enough to make it that far, they will probably end up in a conference committee to hash out the differences in the end.  


Visit the Missouri Autism Coalition website for a listing of bills and sponsors!(written by G.K. Luetkemeyer, an "autism mom" at the Capitol)
 

Legislative Update
January 15, 2010:  Jefferson City

2010 Legislative Session off and running ...
autism insurance reform at top of list


 The 2010 session of the General Assembly kicked off last week, with budget concerns and ethics reform the highlight of the many speeches given.  As work begins, autism is being included in the first flurry of activity.  Of high interest are the three autism insurance bill currently filed - two in House, with multiple co-sponsors and one in Senate.
     -  HB 1311 - Scharnhorst (R)
     -  HB 1341 - Grill (D)
     -  SB 618 - Rupp (R) & Schmitt (R)

All three bills have been referred to committee, and these bills will be among the first bills heard next week.  Hearings are already scheduled:
      - Tuesday, January 19
         12:00 noon in House    &   2:00 pm in Senate

Hearings are open to the public, and while everyone that attends does not always get to speak, written testimony is always welcome.  For more info on the bills, the proposed coverage, co-sponsors, or hearing updates, visit :  The Autism Buzz

With the Governor repeatedly calling for the passage and the Speaker of the House having promised to get autism insurance legislation out early this session, many expect results in 2010.  Yet, there are reportedly some Republicans that are opposed to "mandates of any kind" and are seemingly cautious due to claims of high costs.

The autism community has their work cut out for them to contact and educate their legislators about this legislation.  As was stated by Missouri's Director of Insurance in the autism interim hearings:
 "This legislation is affordable, accessible, and enforceable. "


BACKGROUND:  Last year's efforts saw an autism insurance bill pass the Senate, but no action was taken in the House.  During the interim, the House convened an interim committee which held public hearings at three locations across the state.  That committee heard testimony on autism insurance coverage and education issues.


THE BUZZ:   
An autism insurance bill is expected to make it to the House floor early this year, but with some changes.  The House committee hearing the bill this week was NOT a committee that had previously heard any autism bills, and is not necessarily considered autism-friendly.  But with the Speaker's promise of action, a version is expected to pass - the specifics not yet known. 


Visit the Missouri Autism Coalition website for a listing of bills and sponsors!(written by G.K. Luetkemeyer, an "autism mom" at the Capitol)