According to the article, Representative Wes Keller, who Co-chairs the Health and Social Service Committee and from whose office HB 425 was issued, stated that there were concerns that HB 187 would cover only a relative minority of Alaskans and would not address those who have public sector insurance, are not insured or fall under ERISA. A "task force" was said to be currently studying the issue, however it was not clarified if the task force is the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, which produced a policy analysis in 2007. However, the Governor's Council has been considering HB 187 as part of its meeting agenda as recently as February 2010.
Last week, Representative Pete Peterson, the sponsor of HB 187, authored an article expressing his disappointment in lack of progress of his bill which has been in Committee for over a year and has received two hearings since its introduction and original Committee referral in March 2009.
The Alaska state legislature website states that the regular session for 2010 will conclude on April 18.
For further reading
Alaska autism bill put on hold
Christopher Eshleman / ceshleman@newsminer.com
Fairbanks Daily-News Miner
April 11, 2010
Bill to provide coverage for autism treatment bottled up
Editorial Anchorage Daily News
Published: April 13th, 2010 06:26 PM
Last Modified: April 13th, 2010 06:27 PM
Treating autism early will save us special ed funds later
By REP. PETE PETERSEN
Anchorage Daily News
Published: April 9th, 2010 10:28 PM
Last Modified: April 9th, 2010 10:28 PM
Report - Early Intensive Intervention Services for Alaska Children with Autism: A Policy Analysis
The Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education
August 2007
Past blog posts
Sunday, April 11, 2010
State legislation : Alaska - HB 425 would establish ASD services including applied behavior analysis and provide supervised experience for those seeking certification
Monday, January 25, 2010
State legislation: Alaska - HB 187 Autism insurance bill; committee session scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2010
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
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