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The Autism Science Foundation is offering a scholarship opportunity to allow parents and other stakeholders to attend the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), the annual meeting of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR).
At the 2009 IMFAR meeting the work of Deborah Fein and colleagues at the University of Connecticut studying the characteristics of "optimal outcome" children with ASDs received some wide popular press coverage.
The 2010 meeting is being held in Philadelphia, PA, May 20-22, 2010. The IMFAR website reports that registration for the 2010 conference is scheduled to open on February 19, 2010.
(February 11, 2010 -- New York, NY) The Autism Science Foundation today announced that is offering a limited number of grants to parents of children with autism and other stakeholders to support attendance at the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR), to be held in Philadelphia, May 20-22, 2010. Awards of up to $1000 can be used to cover registration, travel, accommodations, meals and other directly related expenses, including childcare. After the conference, grant recipients will be expected to share what they've learned with families in their local communities and/or online...
For full information, see the notice and application instructions at the Autism Science Foundation.
© 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 2/16/10 - 1:11PM PST - SB 464 Committee Substitute was passed without amendment by a vote of 27 to 13 in the Virginia Senate**
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Virginia SB 464: A BILL to amend and reenact § 38.2-4319 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 38.2-3418.16, relating to health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder has been favorably reported with substitute from the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor on February 15, 2010.
The Regular Senate Calendar for February 16, 2010 shows SB 464 S1 as coming to the Senate Floor for a vote.
The major change of the amendment/substitute was to reduce the age of coverage from up to age ten years to "from age two to age six".
Applied behavior analysis is defined in SB 464 S1, and coverage of applied behavior analysis is in the category of "Habilitative or rehabilitative care". Service provider of behavior analytic services not defined in SB 464 S1, nor are the competencies of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board specified.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Virginia General Assembly
Autism Votes - Virginia
Bill mandates autism coverage
The state Senate votes today on legislation to require employers to cover autism treatments.
By Courtney Cutright
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
© 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.
**Followup 3/27/10- The West Virginia legislature shows that none of the bills in this post have advanced beyond the status noted on February 15, 2010**
The West Virginia legislature is currently entertaining four bills related to the practice and reimbursement of behavior analytic services by health insurance. One [HB 2858] references "behavioral therapy", and one [HB 4410] explicitly refers to applied behavior analysis and would create a state definition of a "Certified Behavior Analyst".
SB 145
Introduced 1/13/2010
Referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance; and then to the Committee on Finance.
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-22; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-18; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16D-17, all relating to requiring health insurers to provide full coverage for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. The next bill makes reference to "behavioral therapy", but no definition of applied behavior analysis, and no specific reference to provider or competencies.
HB 2858
Introduced January 13, 2010; referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then Finance.
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-16-7f; that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-16B-6e; that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-22; that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §33 -16-18; and that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §33 -16D-17 , all relating to autism spectrum disorder; requiring coverage for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder by all insurance policies and insurance plans provided by the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Act, all accident and sickness policies, all group accident and sickness policies, all small employer accident and sickness policies and all plans for health services or accident or sickness insurance provided by the West Virginia Children's Health Insurance Program which provides coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care coverage in the state ; providing requirements and limitations on required coverage; exceptions; and providing that the provisions of this bill be known and cited collectively as the 'Cameron and Dominic Law'. The bill which explicitly references applied behavior analysis, the competencies and qualifications of the stated service providers, and qualifications of "Certified Behavior Analyst"s is
HB 4410
Introduced February 9, 2010 ; referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance.
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-16-7f; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §9-5-21; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-3v, all relating to requiring health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders; setting forth the types of coverage required; requiring medical services to be provided on a nondiscriminatory basis; and defining terms. Some definitions from HB 4410 that may be of interest to practicing behavior analysts,
- "Autism services provider" means any person, entity or group that provides treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
- "Certified behavior analyst" means a West Virginia licensed psychiatrist or psychologist who is also board certified as a behavior analyst by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.
- "Habilitative or rehabilitative care" means professional, counseling and guidance services and treatment programs, including applied behavior analysis, that are necessary to develop, maintain and restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual.
- "Therapeutic care" means services provided by licensed or certified speech therapists, occupational therapists or physical therapists under the direction of a certified behavioral analyst.
HB 4410 would apply to West Virginia Public Employees Insurance, Medicaid, Group Accident and Sickness Insurance,
Another bill is primarily related to prohibiting gender discrimination.
HB. 4215,
Introduced January 28, 2010; referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then the Judiciary.
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-16-7f; that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-22; that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-18; and that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16D-17, all relating to prohibiting gender discrimination in health care insurance plans. FOR MORE INFORMATION
West Virginia Legislature Bill Status Search page
West Virginia Legislature
Autism Votes - West Virginia
(No content related to the bills as of 2/15/10)
© 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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