LETTER: Getting the facts straight
Published: July 2, 2009
Barbara Dodge got some of her facts wrong in her June 26 letter in the News & Messenger. She mentions that Del. Bob Marshall sponsored the autism imsurance bill, HB 1588, which was referred last
January to the Commerce and Labor Committee. This bill would have had the state pay up to $36,000 for autism therapy to families with insurance. This hit a personal note for me and my husband,
retirees with a 5-year-old grandson with autism. He attends a public Prince William County school in a K-2 autism program, but we pay for the private Applied Behavior Analysis therapy which is so
necessary for him to learn to speak and to remediate social behaviors associated with children on the spectrum. The parents of our grandson have insurance, which does not cover ABA, but they can’t
afford to pay for this private therapy, so my husband and I are paying for it with our retirement funds.
Marshall was only one of the several state delegates who co-sponsored the bill. David Poisson, Democratic delegate from the 32nd District of Virginia, pushed for the bill, among other delegates from both
parties. Marshall, the Republican delegate from the 13th District did little to move the bill up, and the Republican majority delegates voted it down because they are against any bill which might cost the
state additional money for education.
I am hoping that when John Bell is elected to be the 13th District’s delegate in November, he will again bring this very serious matter up for a vote and a Democratic majority will approve it.
The passing of this bill would ensure that the children with autism would get the help they need at an early age thereby saving the state having to pay for prolonged institutional care or special needs
classes as the child grows.These kids can be mainstreamed into regular classrooms at a much earlier age if they are given the proper autism therapy when they are as young as 3, but it’s very
expensive and many families do not have the funds to pay for it.
Bob Marshall is a career politician who does nothing for the children of Virginia most in need of the state’s help. New Jersey and Connecticut just passed similar bills in their state legislatures. In NJ, the
autism insurance bill would pay the insured families up to $56,000 a year — a mere drop in the bucket for yearly autism therapy.
GLORIA M. MOSCATELLO
Gainesville
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Dear Editor,
In response to a letter or post entitled “Getting the facts straight” (published July 2, 2009), I offer the following thoughts and observations for your readers and the author of this opinion regarding the history of House Bill 1588 to Mandate Autism Insurance Coverage in Virginia. Approximately 1 year ago, parents from Loudoun County planned and held the Loudoun County Autism Summit, primarily to bring the autism community together and discuss the impacts of autism on families, schools and the community. The majority of Loudoun’s elected State officials were present. During the Summit, Delegates Marshall and Poisson stepped forward agreed to lead a bi-partisan autism campaign and helped to prepare parents and advocates for the upcoming public hearing of the mandated benefits commission. With CNN providing national coverage, parents and advocates filled the room on the September 29, 2008 public hearing. Delegates Marshall and Poisson both gave very compelling testimony in September as well as at hearings, rallies and committee meetings in the months that followed. They also co-authored opinion articles for the newspapers and press releases. As a result, the following is a summary of the successes of our autism campaign in Virginia:
• The Mandated Benefits Commission voted 6-4 in favor of enacting an insurance mandate for autism on 11/19/2009;
• Won the support of over 32 patrons in the House of Delegates;
• Completed an independent actuarial study depicting a cost impact of $1.70-1.90 per plan per month (only 0.70% impact);
• The Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission cited that an autism insurance mandate is a viable solution, in its June 8, 2009 report; and
• Received national media coverage from CNN and CBS News, as well as local coverage from around the State.
While the parents involved would have preferred that HB 1588 passed on its first attempt, the groundwork was clearly laid for successful passage in 2010. We sincerely thank Delegates Marshall and Poisson for their leadership and support thus far. More work is needed …. Many of the same parents have formed the Virginia Autism Project, a pending 501c3 organization, to continue to communicate the impacts of autism on Virginians and explain the need for insurance coverage. Please join our page on Facebook. I also suggest that you schedule a meeting with your representatives or other leaders to get their insights from these hearings, rallies and committee meetings. The Virginia Autism Project will be scheduling Summits in Roanoke (July 25) and other locations throughout the state in the coming months (Northern Virginia, Richmond, etc). We need to work together to mandate health insurance coverage for autism and improve all related services in Virginia. With rates of autism increasing 15-18% per year in Virginia, time is of the essence.
Join the cause … this is what you can do:
• MEET WITH your Senator and Delegate and other local legislators to get feedback and solicit lessons learned. We must continue our statewide education efforts with the entire General Assembly discussing the social and fiscal impacts of autism.
• THANK all patrons and other supporters. Request their continued support.
• REACH OUT to opponents of our legislation to communicate the impacts of autism to businesses, communities, schools and families. Inspire them to become community leaders on this issue.
• REGISTER for www.autismvotes.org and www.facebook.com (search “Virginia Autism Project”) to get alerts to activate our grassroots efforts.
• PASS the word to other friends, family, co-workers, church groups, schools, hospitals etc and make presentations on our grassroots campaign and proposed legislation.
Pat DiBari
Father of son with autism
Virginia Autism Project
Sponsoring a bill, then doing nothing to help push it, or even voting against it if and when it comes up to a vote, is a trick as old as politicians (the third oldest profession). It’s how politicians can have the best of both worlds; to the groups that would be opposed to that bill, the politician claims they voted against it. When dealing with groups that were in favor of the bill, the politician can claim they sponsored it. Both statements are completely true.
Of course, when Democrats do this, they are two-faced back stabbing gutless weasels. When Republicans do this, they are principled mavericks doing the work their constituents want them to do regardless of party affiliation. Never did quite understand that one, but I guess it is what it is.
ok, so did you guy just decide to only read the last paragraph? She said he sponsored it along with several others. Her beef is that he sponsored it and, according to her (as truely i havent read up on the issue), he didnt push the bill. dont attack the poor lady who is just trying to make a better life for her grandchild with incorrect info.
“Bob Marshall is someone who is equally admired on both sides by democrats and republicans.“
What is that smell in the air? Reminds me of a cow passing gas…
Bob Marshall is someone who is equally admired on both sides by democrats and republicans.
To those who accuse him of being too radical on the abortion issue - should Bob Marshall compromise and “bargain” for only half of the unborn to be spared?
With all the 21st century scientific advancement there is absolutely NO doubt anymore that it is life from the very first hours of conceiving.
Abortion is destroying of human life and, therefore can only be WRONG.
Early or late - all abortions should be discussed as evil deed instead of calling it a “choice” and mixing it with freedom and rights.
It is a baby, not a choice!
Mr. Williams,
“Republicans are pro-family unless it comes to spending money on families not born with a silver spoon in their mouth.“
What does your comment have to do with Delegate Marshall introducing legislation benefitting autistic children?
Dems don’t have any problem from taking money from wealthy folks who support their extreme political agenda.
“The solution for helping these families must come through legislative action,” said Elizabeth Emken, Vice President of Government Relations for Autism Speaks. “We thank Delegates Marshall and Poisson for introducing HB 1588 and call on the Virginia General Assembly to pass this bill and join the growing number of states that have ended healthcare discrimination against children with autism.”
Ms.Moscatello, Ms.Emken had the decency to thank Del.Marshall,how about yourself?
Ms. Moscatello,
Apparently Ms. Moscatello,the Dems are banking on folks like yourself who are “ignorantly bliss on the issue"to continue with your misinformation letter campaign against Del. Marshall.
Shame on you, Ms. Moscatello, for not thanking Del.Marshall for going against his own party in support of legislation that would benefit your grandchild!
I would think twice about John Bell’s pro-abortion stance.
From the Loudoun County Autism Network!
We NEED HB 1588!
a Mandate for Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatments in Virginia
Loudoun County Autism Network enthusiastically supports the passage of Virginia House Bill 1588 (formerly HB 83).
HB 1588 requires health insurers, health care subscription plans, and
health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for the diagnosis
and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in individuals under age 21.
Coverage is subject to an annual maximum benefit of $36,000. Businesses
with 25 or fewer employees are not required to offer coverage.
Learn More about the Virginia Bill
Virginia House Bill 1588 was prefiled for the January 2009 session by Delegate Marshall (R-13) and Delegate Poisson (D-32). Read HB1588 here.
Sorry Ms. Moscatello but YOU are the the one who doesn’t have your facts straight. Here is the bill listing in the Virginia Legislative Information System: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=091&typ=bil&val=hb1588&Submit2=Go
Bob was the delegate who sponsored the bill.
So the way you thank Bob for introducing a bill near and dear to you is by lying and endorsing his opponent? I suggest being better informed the next time you respond to a Letter to the Editor, and when you pull the lever.
Thank you for this letter, Ms Moscatello.
I’d also like to point out that a strong government-sponsored health care program (like the “Public Option” or even a socialistic “Single Payer” plan) should include coverage for long term medical care for any American. Whether or not it will depends on how much Republicans oppose current healthcare reform plans.
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