In a blog post, Peter Bell (Autism Speaks executive VP for programs and service) frames the issue as one of equality:
At the end of the day, it all comes down to ending the discrimination families living with the challenges of autism face when dealing with health plans. As one New York father pointed out to me recently, individuals with autism are simply looking for equality. He went on to emphasize how this piece of legislation would require coverage for evidenced based treatments, equality in its truest sense. He spoke from an extremely personal place, sharing how last year he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His course of treatment, which was evidence-based, was covered by his health insurance and because of this treatment, he is doing well. He went on to ask the obvious question: why his beautiful nine year-old son with autism was not afforded the same opportunity?
It’s time for this discrimination to stop. You can help by emailing Governor David Paterson and urging him to sign S.7000B into law. He needs to hear from you – as a member of the nationwide community of families and loved ones of individuals with autism – even if you do not live in New York. Please take two minutes to make a difference today.
