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A March 1,2010 press release from the Office of the [Wisconsin] Governor Jim Doyle announced an additional health insurance benefit to those in Wisconsin, in addition to those afforded by the recently passed autism health insurance reform, through enactment of the Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) requirements.
"MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that mental health disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, will now be covered by health insurance providers at the same level as all other health conditions. Implementation of the federal mental health parity law in Wisconsin will help people access mental health treatment they need, and families pursue all available treatments for children with autism. The new federal requirement builds on the state’s requirement that all health insurance companies cover mental health and new requirement for coverage of autism treatment, which Governor Doyle signed into law in the 2009-2011 state budget...
The federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) requirements will require equal treatment coverage of mental health conditions including autism. Wisconsin families enrolled in large group health plans will be affected by these changes. Individual, small employer, and self-funded insurance plans will still have to comply with state autism coverage requirements..." On a related note, Wisconsin's legislature is currently deliberating
The Wisconsin Parity Act (Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB-362, and Assembly Bill 512) which would provide mental health and substance abuse disorder insurance benefits at parity levels—equal to benefits for medical and surgical procedures—for 700,000 employees of Wisconsin’s small businesses not covered by the Federal Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, P.L. 110-343. Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB-362 was passed in the Senate on January 28, 2010 and is currently in the Assembly, referred to the Committee on Rules. Assembly Bill 512 was passed with a do pass as amended recommendation from the Assembly Committee on Health and Healthcare Reform on February 26, 2010 and is also in the Committee on Rules at the present.
For more information
Full press release from the Office of the Governor [Wisconsin] Jim Doyle
March 1, 2010
Governor Doyle Announces Expanded Health Insurance Coverage will Benefit Families with Autism
New Federal Laws Will Further Help Children with Autism Access Full Treatment
Overview: Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
Mental Health America
Wisconsin State Legislature
Parity for Wisconsin fact sheet on Senate Substitute Amendment 1 to SB-362, and Assembly Bill 512
Past blog post
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.
Call for Public Comment through May 31, 2010: Principles for Quality Undergraduate Education in Psychology
----------------------------- "The APA Board of Educational Affairs (BEA) has posted the Principles for Quality Undergraduate Education in Psychology (Draft, January 2010) for review and comment. These recommendations were developed following the 2008 APA National Conference on Undergraduate Education in Psychology.
In accordance with Association Rule 30-8, BEA is circulating the Principles for Quality Undergraduate Education in Psychology to APA governance groups, APA Divisions, State Psychological Associations, other organizations in psychology, departments and schools of psychology, and members of the public.
Feedback will be gathered through May 31, 2010. At the conclusion of public comment, the document will be circulated to all APA governance groups with a request that the Council of Representatives approve as Association policy the Principles for Quality Undergraduate Education in Psychology.
Instructions
All comments are to be submitted electronically via the Education Directorate Public Comment website at http://apaoutside.apa.org/EducCSS/Public/.
In order to submit comments, participants must first register. Registration requires participants to use an email address, and to develop a password.
Select the Principles for Quality Undergraduate Education in Psychology from the list of projects to view instructions, register, and to post comments. To submit feedback, please select "edit comments."
Comments may be submitted through May 31, 2010.
If you have any questions, contact Robin Hailstorks, PhD (RHailstorks@apa.org) or
Martha Boenau (MBoenau@apa.org) at 202-336-6140.
Martha Boenau | Associate Director, Office of Precollege and Undergraduate Programs Education Directorate American Psychological Association 750 First Street N E , Washington , DC 20002-4242 Tel: (202) 336-6140 | Fax: (202) 336-5962 email: mboenau@apa.org | www.apa.org ----------------------------- © 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 Chicago Tribune reports that James Coman, a father highlighted in a recent series of columns on alternative autism treatments has filed suit in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois requesting a jury trial and requesting damages against two physicians,their medical practices and an analysis lab .
The suit alleges that the physicians and their medical corporations are culpable of medical negligence, lack of informed consent, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation,and battery.
The suit also alleges that the laboratory report used as a basis for application of chelation and other proposed alternative treatments was based on an improper method of testing to obtain the report results and alleges that the laboratory is culpable for negligence, intentional misrepresentation,and civil conspiracy with the physicians and health care corporations named in the suit.
For further reading
Doctors sued over ‘dangerous’ autism treatment
By Patricia Callahan, Tribune reporter
Chicago Tribune
5:19 p.m. CST, March 4, 2010
ScienceBlogs/Respectful Insolence on the suit
Link to a copy of the filed lawsuit
March 5, 2010
Heavy Metals Suit: Are Experimental Autism Docs Taking Legal Risks?
David Whelan
The Science Business: A health care blog
March 5, 2010 - 12:04 pm
"Dubious Medicine"
Chicago Tribune series on unproven treatments for autism
Trine Tsouderos and Patricia Callahan, Chicago Tribune
© 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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