Found on Facebook: Virginia Autism Survey

I have been looking for something like this all over the internet. It is important to note that both Delegate Miller and his opponent Jeanette Rishell are listed as in favor of autism insurance reform. I am unclear if Delegate Miller completed the survey and I still have concerns about the comments from their debate, but I am extremely pleased as seeing Jackson Miller and Jeanette Rishell both in support of offering coverage to my son and children like him. They have both met Jimmy numerous times and I would like to think that they think of him and the other children with autism they have met in this district.

Probably bigger from this is that while I was certain of voting for Jody Wagner all along, I have been undecided about the governor's race. If Bob McDonnell had said something in support of autism insurance reform, I would have voted for him. Instead, I hear this:

“Virginia has one of the highest numbers of insurance mandates in the country and these mandates adversely impact families’ and small business’ ability to purchase insurance.” McDonnell says he would seek other ways (than mandated insurance) to treat autism if elected, but doesn’t offer any specifics.

I honestly was starting to think that I wouldn't vote for him, but I am casting my vote for Creigh Deeds in hopes that he will take his new found support of autism insurance reform with him to Richmond.

Support Grows in House of Delegates; Deeds & McDonnell Differ

(RICHMOND, Sept. 17) -- Incumbents and challengers responding to a new survey agree that the issue of mandated insurance coverage of autism needs to be resolved in the upcoming General Assembly session. Last session, HB 1588 and SB 1260 both failed to reach floor votes necessary to advance. Heavy lobbying by autism families was countered by opposition by health insurance companies and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The VAP survey of all Delegates and challengers also shows that bipartisan support for insurance reform is growing. Democratic minority leader Ward Armstrong and Republican majority leader Morgan Griffith both support mandated insurance coverage for autism. They are joined by 36 other members of the House of Delegates who have indicated support of the mandate. Of 20 challenger replies, 17 support autism insurance, and three said they are undecided.

In the gubernatorial race, there is a stark difference between candidates. Democrat for governor Creigh Deeds says, “This is an urgent situation,” and he supports autism insurance. “Early treatment of autism will help countless families across the Commonwealth.” His running mate for Lt. Governor Jody Wagner also supports the legislation. Republican Bob McDonnell’s survey was incomplete. His reply does not offer a position on the autism insurance issue, providing this statement instead: “Virginia has one of the highest numbers of insurance mandates in the country and these mandates adversely impact families’ and small business’ ability to purchase insurance.” McDonnell says he would seek other ways (than mandated insurance) to treat autism if elected, but doesn’t offer any specifics. Running mate Bill Bolling’s survey indicates he clearly opposes mandated insurance coverage of autism.

In Virginia, 95% of insurance companies surveyed by the state, including market-share leader Anthem, categorically exclude coverage for the treatment of autism. In 2008, JLARC studied the issue and concluded that coverage of autism treatments is consistent with the role of health insurance in the marketplace. In 2009, JLARC reported that early diagnosis and treatment of autism in Virginia is lacking in many areas, and too expensive for families to pay out of pocket. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. In a national movement led by Autism Speaks, 15 states have now mandated that insurance companies provide coverage for the treatment of autism, most recently New Jersey.
The same bill will come before the Virginia General Assembly again in 2010.

The VAP survey also polled Delegates and challengers on the need to train teachers and paraprofessionals in educating pupils with autism, which is a complex neurological disorder. The vast majority of aides as well as many special education teachers have no formal training in autism or behavior management. Over 50 survey respondents supported new training standards for teachers, including both McDonnell and Deeds. The VAP will push new legislation this year to require instructional staff to be trained or certified in autism by September 2011.

As a guide, the VAP provides a summary of incumbents and challengers who supported the insurance mandate last session as bill patrons, or indicated support in our recent survey.
Del. Ward Armstrong – Democratic majority leader.
Del. William Barlow
Del. Joseph E. Bouchard
Del. Danny C. Bowling
Del. David Bulova
Del. Charles Caputo
Del. Bill Carrico
Del. Roslyn Dance
Del. David Englin
Del. Morgan Griffith – House majority leader
Del. Timothy Hugo – Mandated Benefits Commission chairman
Del. Robert Hull
Del. Barry Knight
Del. Steven Landes
Del. Scott Lingamfelter
Del. Manoli Loupassi
Del. David Marsden
Del. Robert Marshall – Lead House Patron in 2009 session
Del. Bobby Mathieson
Del. Donald Merricks
Del. Jackson Miller
Del. Paula Miller
Del. Joseph Morrissey
Del. Paul Nichols
Del. David Nutter
Del. John O’Bannon – Only medical doctor in the House
Del. Glenn Oder
Del. Clarence Phillips
Del. Albert Pollard
Del. David Poisson – Lead Democrat patron in 2009 session
Del. Ken Plum
Del. Thomas Rust
Del. Lionell Spruill
Del. David Toscano
Del. Shannon Valentine – Sponsored 2-year autism study by JLARC
Del. Margaret Vanderhye
Del. Onzlee Ware
Del. Vivian Watts

Incumbents in opposition to the autism insurance mandate in their surveys:
Del. Sam Nixon, GOP caucus chairman, and Del. Mark Sickles.
Responding as undecided were Del. Jimmie Massie, Del. Lee Ware, Del. Jennifer L. McLellanand Del. Bob Purkey.

Challengers (17) in support of autism insurance reform:
Peggy Frank—7th
John Bell –13th
John Lesinski – 15th
Thomas Greason –32nd
James Hyland –35th
Gary Werkheiser – 42nd
Tim Nank – 43rd
Jeanette Rishell – 50th
Paul Nichols –51st
Christopher Merola—53rd
Gary Reinhardt—65th
Tom Shields—73rd
Jennifer Lee –80th
Peter W. Schmidt – 82nd
Jason E. Call –90th
Samuel L. Eure – 91st district
Gary West – 94th

Challengers (3) undecided on autism insurance reform:
Jim LeMunyon – 67th
Gwen Mason – 17th
John Amiral –87th

The survey asked for responses to 7 questions between the choices of Strongly Disagree, Disagree, No Opinion, Agree and Strongly Agree and were signed by the participants. This news release in no way serves as an endorsement of any candidate, nor is it intended to influence the election. Its purpose is purely informational for the benefit of Virginians interested in developmental disabilities. Funding for the survey was generously provided by the Autism Society of America – Central Virginia chapter in Richmond. The Virginia Autism Project is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan organization led by advocates from Roanoke to Virginia Beach, Richmond to Fairfax. We are on Facebook, and encourage friends to join us there as fans of the movement. Visit www.vapnova.org. For more information on the national scene, go to www.autismvotes.org.