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HealthReform.gov, managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, is online to answer consumer and stakeholder questions about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - H.R. 3590, signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010; now Public Law No: 111-148 (text of P.L. not yet posted at the Government Printing Office).
Besides answers to FAQs, there is also a map to check status reports on health reform implementation in each U.S. state, and the Health Reform Blog with a variety of posts by officials and administrators in the federal government on how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will proceed on such as state management of high risk pools, as well as corrections or explanations of items in the press .
There is also a weekly live web chat to answer questions and address various aspects of the law. Past chats are also archived for any unable to make the live chat.
"This Thursday, May 20, 2010 1PM EDT, the web chat topic is how the Affordable Care Act will benefit Americans with disabilities. Submit questions for the chat to healthreform@hhs.gov. You can watch the web chat live at: http://www.hhs.gov/live.
Do you have a disability or have someone close to you who does? Do you wonder if and how the Affordable Care Act can really help you? We'll be taking your questions about how the Affordable Care Act will benefit people with disabilities, or those with loved ones affected by a disability. Join our WebChat this upcoming Thursday, May 20, at 1:00 P.M EDT at www.hhs.gov/live.
Henry Claypool, the Director of the Office of Disability at HHS, Jeffrey Crowley, Senior Advisor on Disability Policy at the White House and Meena Seshamani, Deputy Director in the Office of Health Reform at HHS will discuss and answer YOUR questions about how the Affordable Care Act will help those who have a disability. Send your questions to healthreform@hhs.gov and we'll answer as many as possible during Chat. We will also take questions live from twitter using our handle @HHSGOV.
This week's show is the eighth in the Affordable Care Act WebChat series. Tune in each week as we continue to talk about different aspects of the new health reform bill so that you, your family and friends can stay informed. You can find previous WebChats on healthreform.gov and browse the site to find all the latest information available from HHS on the new law. Thanks for participating, and stay tuned to get your questions answered." For further reading or reference
HealthReform.gov
H.R. 3590
Certified by Superintendent of Documents
United States Government Printing Office
Past blog post
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Federal legislation: U.S. House passes Senate health care reform bill to be signed into law; reconciliation act goes to the Senate
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
On February 16, 2010, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Autism Treatment Working Group, the group charged with developing regulations from the statute, Section 632.895 (12m), Wis. Stat., held a meeting to discuss agenda items including,
- Review of Comments received at December 2nd (2009) hearing.
- Coverage amount required by insurers when a previous insurer has already provided autism treatment services as required under the mandate.
- Discussion on training/supervisory requirements the rule places on Speech Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists.
- Legislation to include coverage for services provided by Board Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs).
Currently the regulations are of an emergency and interim basis. It was noted on the audio minutes of the meeting that one more extension is allowed by law before working rules are required to be completed.
The audio minutes of the meeting stated that the December (2009) public comment to rulemaking period resulted in many responses requesting that BCBAs to be approved as providers, and questions about the interaction of the insurance mandate with the existing Children's Long-Term Support Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waivers (CLTS Waivers).
A large portion of the meeting centered around the relationship of intensive vs. nonintensive service, behavioral vs. nonbehavioral services, and the requirements of providers identified in the bill to provide intensive services at the competencies specified in the statute. It was noted that there may be an insufficiency of providers with training to provide intensive behavioral therapy within the scope of practice of current license, and that some licensed providers had reservations about being supervised by other licensed providers from outside of their professional area. Some discussion ensued on the complementary relationship of behavioral therapists, SLPs and OTs in a therapeutic team.
The audio transcript is informative and educational the process and deliberation brought to bear in the development of regulation resulting from passage of statute, the balancing act of meeting conditions of law as well as the needs of the client and professional constituencies and, in this situation, the input resulting from the public hearing of the interim regulations.
Unfortunately the transcript suspended at the point where there was to be a discussion of regarding the introduction of legislation to amend the statute to include Board Certified Behavior Analysts as authorized providers, but the inclusion of this as an agenda item, as well as the comments about the public response is suggestive that such a development is possible in the near future.
The agenda for the February 16, 2010 meeting suggests that the next meeting of the Working Group will occur in April, 2010.
For more information
Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Autism Treatment Working Group
Memo from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance dated 22 September 2009
Section 632.895 (12m), Wis. Stat. (12m) TREATMENT FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.
OCI FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON MANDATED COVERAGE FOR AUTISM SERVICES
"This FAQ is presented for informational purposes only. It does not carry the full force and effect of the law."
Document links to statute and emergency rule.
Frequently Asked Questions About How The Autism Insurance Mandate Affects Children Participating in the CLTS Waivers
WISCONSIN: Frequently Asked Questions About the Autism Insurance Reform Law
Autism Votes
WI Autism Insurance - Updates from Elvis Sightings blog
Blog of a parent who is tracking these events in Wisconsin
'Huge hole' in Wisconsin's autism coverage mandate
Wisconsin State Journal
By MATTHEW DeFOUR mdefour@madison.com 608-252-6144 | Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2009 5:50 pm
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
The Maryland General Assembly is currently entertaining two bills HB 1091 and SB 1028, that would provide health insurance coverage of applied behavior analysis for those with autism spectrum disorders.
A hearing for the first bill, HB 1091, will occur in the House of Delegates’ Health and Government Operations Committee at 1:00 pm Thursday, March 11, 2010, House Office Building, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401-1991.
Autism Votes has an action alert at their Facebook page for advocates for HB 1091 with a list of specific strategic actions that they would like taken on behalf of supporting the bill.
Please see their Facebook page for those details.
Maryland HB 1091: Health Insurance - Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Bill text
Introduced and read first time: February 17, 2010
Assigned to: Health and Government Operations Cross-filed bill, Senate Bill 1028: Health Insurance - Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Bill text
Introduced and read first time: February 25, 2010
Assigned to: Rules The synopses of both bills:
Requiring insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and treatment of autism spectrum disorders; requiring specified treatment of autism spectrum disorders to be prescribed and provided by specified individuals; clarifying that specified provisions of the Act may not be construed as limiting specified benefits otherwise available to an individual; prohibiting specified limits on visits to an autism services provider; etc. Both bills defines applied behavior analysis, include it under the treatment category of "habilitative or rehabilitative care" as prescribed by a licensed physician, psychologist, as provided for under the bills,
Applied behavior analysis would be provided by an individual
(1) Licensed under Title 14 [physician] or Title 18 [psychologist] of the Health Occupations Article, or under the supervision of an individual licensed under Title 14 or Title 18 of the Health Occupations Article; or
(2) A Board Certified Behavior Analyst or a Board Certified Associate [sic] Behavior Analyst credentialed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
For more information
Maryland House Bill 1091
Maryland Senate Bill 1028
Maryland General Assembly
Autism Votes Facebook page on the 3/11/10 hearing
Autism Votes Maryland
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Coffee, Bagels, and Autism Insurance Reform in Maryland
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
**Update 3/8/10 - Update: Another summing up of developments in North Carolina Battle of Words & Numbers: Autism Insurance
Posted on March 6, 2010 by momof3au
Autism Society of North Carolina Blog**
-------------------------------------
The North Carolina Joint Study Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Public Safety is currently deliberating feasibility of drafting insurance reform legislation to be submitted within the legislative session commencing May 12, 2010. This legislation would propose to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism, including applied behavior analysis.
At the most recent meeting on March 4, 2010 an actuarial cost estimate by the firm of Oliver Wyman was presented to the Committee by Marc Lambright, FSA, MAAA. Other presentations were made by Blue Cross/Blue Shield, the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and the State Health Plan. The arguments of Blue Cross/Blue Shield turned on the nature of applied behavior analysis, which they argue are educational, not medical, and on their cost estimates which they believe are in the range of $2.37-$11.00/month/policy. The analysis by Oliver Wyman disagrees with those estimates, saying that real costs for states which have passed this type of coverage are more in the range of 0.4%/policy/month or $1/month.
Previous testimony on given to the Committee on February 3, 2010 was an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorder by Dr. Rob Christian, Clinical Assistant Profession of Pediatrics and Child Psychiatry at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities; a parent perspective by Bev Moore, Secretary of the Autism Society of North Carolina Board of Directors; insurance initiatives in other states and the cost-benefit of removing exclusion of coverage for autism treatment by Lorri Unumb, Senior Policy Advisor for Autism Speaks; and the experience as both a parent and a medical professional on the hardship of insurance loss upon autism diagnosis by Dr. David Kaylie, FACS, of the Duke University Medical Center.
For more information
Joint Study Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Public Safety (2009)
(Register for Meeting notices via email)
March 1, 2010
Actuarial Cost Estimate: North Carolina Draft Bill 2009-SQ-25 [v.1]:AN ACT TO REQUIRE HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS, INCLUDING THE STATE HEALTH PLAN FOR TEACHERS AND STATE EMPLOYEES, TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.
Oliver Wyman Actuarial Consulting, Inc.
Prepared By:
Marc Lambright, FSA, MAAA
Found at Autism Votes North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions About the State Autism Insurance Reform Laws
Autism Votes
Autism insurance is debated
March 5, 2010
BY SARAH AVERY - Staff Writer
Autism Insurance Coverage Update
Posted on March 1, 2010 by dlaxton
Autism society of North Carolina Blog
Autism Insurance in North Carolina – first steps
Posted on February 3, 2010 by dlaxton
Autism society of North Carolina Blog
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
On February 25, 2010, the South Carolina Legislature House Ways and Means Committee adopted a budget that would not only reduce the base budget by $42.3 million, but these reductions would lose the state matching Medicaid and other Federal funds which supply additional revenue for disability services at a ratio of 2:1 in Federal to state funds - resulting in an additional $110 million dollar shortfall.
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs estimates that should the cuts not be restored, by necessity it must meet the needs of 4800 individuals in residential care; to accomplish that in the face of the proposed budget cuts would require elimination of service to 25,700 consumers being served under categories such as,
- autism,
- brain injury,
- mental retardation, and
- spinal cord injury,
and services including, but not limited to:
- early intervention,
- day programs,
- workshops,
- respite,
- family support,
- acute rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury,
- attendant care,
- the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) program,
- specialized therapies, and
- service coordination.
An estimated 3100 jobs would also be lost with the budget cut.
The South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs sent a lettter dated February 26, 2010, to Daniel T. Cooper, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, informing him of the impact of the proposed cuts and requesting that funding be restored.
Carolina Autism, and many other groups, such as the South Carolina Autism Society, have issued alerts for stakeholders to contact their state legislators as well as a reminder of an especial need for face-to face advocacy at the already scheduled Wednesday, March 3, 2010, Disability Advocacy Day at the South Carolina Statehouse.
References and for more information
South Carolina Legislature
Information on Disability Advocacy Day,
including what needs to happen before showing up to the capitol, and directions and parking.
March 3, 2010, 9:00AM-2:00PM
South Carolina Autism Society
South Carolina Autism Society (more info on DDSN cuts)
South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs
Disability Advocacy Day at State House on Wednesday
Indexjournal.com
Sunday, February 28, 2010 11:16 PM EST
Funding cuts may hammer Tri-Dev
Aikenstandard.com
3/1/2010 8:12 PM
Related blog post
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
State advocacy news - Autism New Jersey (formerly COSAC) needs your help to restore their funding and services
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
The NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet) is seeking input from the scientific community, health professionals, patient advocates, and the general public about current and emerging priorities in basic behavioral and social sciences research (b-BSSR).
Please note that the deadline for responding to this RFI is Friday, February 19th, 2010. OppNet is seeking your help in identifying broad priority areas. The purpose of this RFI is not to solicit ideas for specific, individual research proposals.
OppNet Mission
The mission of OppNet is to pursue opportunities for strengthening basic behavioral and social science research (b-BSSR) at the NIH while innovating beyond existing investments.
OppNet Goals
OppNet advances basic behavioral and social science research through activities and initiatives that build a body of knowledge about the nature of behavior and social systems.
OppNet prioritizes activities and initiatives that focus on basic mechanisms of behavior and social processes; that are relevant to the missions and public health challenges of multiple NIH Institutes, Centers and Offices (ICOs); and that build upon existing NIH investments without replicating them.
Past and related posts
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time sensitive RFI : The NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet) is seeking YOUR input by February 19, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Initial draft revision of the DSM-V unveiled Wednesday, February 10, 2010; comments requested until April 20, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time sensitive request for comment: Interim final rules to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
The NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet) is seeking input from - the scientific community,
- health professionals,
- patient advocates,and the
- general public
A formal Request For Information (RFI) has just been published in the NIH Guide, Request for Information (RFI): To Solicit Input on Priorities for the NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet)
Notice Number: NOT-OD-10-055
Key Dates
Release Date: January 28, 2010
Response Date: February 19, 2010
Issued by
National Institutes of Health Your participation is encouraged and welcome in this RFI recommending top priority challenges for b-BSSR. For detailed information about the Request For Information and to submit your ideas, please go to http://bbssrresponse.com/. This information will enable OppNet to strategically plan future investments in b-BSSR. [Note: an allocation of $120 million dollars over the next 4-5 years is anticipated] Please note that the deadline for responding to this RFI is February 19th, 2010.Your help is sought in identifying broad priority areas. The purpose of this RFI is NOT a solicitation of research grant proposals nor to solicit ideas for specific, individual research proposals. Please see the Request for Information notice for the specifics of information requested. The mission of OppNet is to pursue opportunities for strengthening b-BSSR at the NIH while innovating beyond existing investments. Further information about OppNet, including the definition of what is meant by basic-BSSR (critical to understand if you are going to identify priority areas for investment) can found at http://oppnet.nih.gov/. For the full summary notice and information, please seeBSSR News OppNet requests your input on priorities in Basic Behavioral and Social Science Research by February 19!posted January 29, 2010 ------------------- Note: There are also funding opportunities available from OppNet. Please see their site for information on those opportunities.------------------- For further information on RFI [NOT-OD-10-055], OppNet and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)Request for Information (RFI): To Solicit Input on Priorities for the NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet)Notice Number: NOT-OD-10-055
Key Dates
Release Date: January 28, 2010
Response Date: February 19, 2010
Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH), (http://www.nih.gov).Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet)About OppNet/Mission statementNIH definition of basic behavioral and social sciences research (b-BSSR) FAQsThe Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)National Institutes of Health
US Department of Health and Human Services© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
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