Report from Annapolis: Autism Insurance Bill Hearings

     This past Wednesday, March 9, the MD House Health and Government Operations Committee and the Senate Finance Committe held their hearings on the autism insurance bill (SB 759/HB 783).    A fellow autism parent and I went down to show our support.   We got there early, on a mission to deliver POAC's written testimony in support of the bill to the Committee offices 2 hours before hearing time.    On the Senate side, we had the satisfaction of arriving right after the representative from the Chamber of Commerce.   It felt good to cover over their opposing testimony with our supporting one.  There was a thick pile of written testimony, almost all from supportive groups.   To see POAC's submission, go to our website (www.poacofcentralmd.org) and click the Advocacy Resources tab. 
     The first hearing was on the Senate side.   It was a chaotic day in Annapolis, with lots of bills on the slate, so the Finance Committee limited the hearing for our bill to 15 minutes.  This meant only two of our four panels of representatives got to testify.   The Chair really wanted to hear from the families, so parents and siblings carried the hearing with their moving testimony.   There was only one opposing representative, the guy from the Chamber, who cited the costs of the bill.   Our Senate bill sponsor, Sen. Klausmeier, asked him pointedly what he could propose to help with the real problem of autism.   He had nothing to say. 

     Then the story turned from 'hurry up' to 'wait.'   We stood outside the House hearing room for most of two hours before our bill came up.   There was no rush once we got in, though, and all our panels of supporters got to speak.   Of particular interest to me was the testimony of Maryland's Deputy Sec. for Behavioral Health,  Renata Henry on behalf of the Maryland Commission on Autism.  
     Back when we first tried to pass an autism insurance bill in 2009, the General Assembly passed the bill creating the Commission instead.   It looked like a stalling tactic -- talk instead of act.   Ms. Henry reported back  that everywhere the Commission has met, what she hears from autism parents is the need for insurance coverage for ABA.   If the Commission was an attempt to kick the can down the road, her testimony caused the can to bounce off the curb and land right back in front of the committtees.   I loved it.
    Again on the House side, the parents and sibs gave fantastic speeches.   This time the professional panels got to speak also and the combined weight of the personal experience and expert opinion must have impressed the committee.   In the second hearing, there was no credible opposing testimony.  
     It was a great day of advocacy for this important bill to bring much needed ABA services to families.   I'm not wise enough about state politics to know the impact and what happens next, but I know the message was strong.  

HUGE THANKS to the courageous parents and sibs who spoke.   Many thanks also to the professionals and non-profit organizations who supported us -- Kennedy Krieger Institute, the MD chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, MD PTA, Pathfinders for Autism, Attorney General Doug Gansler, and of course, our spearhead organization, Autism Speaks.