Autism Speaks--Insurance for treatments

This coming Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 2pm a subcommittee of the Virginia House Commerce and Labor Committee will be meeting to vote on House Bill 1588, the autism insurance reform bill. This meeting will decide the fate of HB 1588 and whether or not the bill will move forward.

Not only will HB 1588 give thousands of families across the Commonwealth access to the autism therapies their children need by requiring private insurance companies to provide coverage for these services, but according to a recent cost estimate commissioned by Autism Speaks, HB 1588 will only increase the cost of health care policyholders in Virginia by a mere $1.90 per month!

How Can You Help?

1. CALL the members of the Virginia House Commerce and Labor Committee:

Del. Terry Kilgore (Chair)	(804) 698-1001	Del. Jennifer L. McClellan	(804) 698-1071
Del. Frank D. Hargrove (Vice Chair)	(804) 698-1055	Del. Kenneth R. Melvin	(804) 698-1080
Del. Kenneth C. Alexander	(804) 698-1089	Del. Harvy B. Morgan	(804) 698-1098
Del. Kathy J. Byron	(804) 698-1022	Del. Samuel A. Nixon Jr.	(804) 698-1027
Del. Benjamin L. Cline	(804) 698-1024	Del. Kenneth R. Plum	(804) 698-1036
Del. Tim Hugo	(804) 698-1040	Del Harry R. Purkey	(804) 698-1082
Del. William R. Janis	(804) 698-1056	Del. Thomas Rust	(804) 698-1086
Del Johnny S. Joannou	(804) 698-1079	Del. Christopher B. Saxman	(804) 698-1020
Del. Joseph P. Johnson Jr.	(804) 698-1004	Del. Mark D. Sickles	(804) 698-1043
Del Lynwood W. Lewis Jr.	(804) 698-1000	Del. Jeion A. Ward	(804) 698-1092
Del. Daniel W. Marshall III	(804) 698-1014	Del. R. Lee Ware Jr.	(804) 698-1065

I know it looks like a lot of members, so please just make as many calls as you can with this message: I support House Bill 1588, I hope that you will support House Bill 1588. HB 1588 will help thousands of families across the Commonwealth handle the financial burdens of having a child with autism. Autism is treatable! Insurance should cover the treatment!