[Note: Shared for #AutisticHistory archive purposes. This is NOT An Autistic Ally.]

---

Oklahoma House passes autism insurance reform 

March 11, 2016

The Oklahoma State House recently passed, HB 2962, autism insurance reform to prevent state regulated health insurers from continuing to exclude basic, evidence-based care for children diagnosed with autism. The measure passed with overwhelming support, 76-20. The bill now heads to the State Senate.

Without the reforms in HB2962, many Oklahomans will continue to face moving to other states to gain access to basic, evidence-based care for their family members with autism. If passed, Oklahoma would join 43 other states, including all states bordering Oklahoma, to pass legislation requiring coverage for individuals with autism.

At an average cost nationwide of 40-50 cents per member per month, passage of HB 2962 is the fiscally conservative thing to do. Forty-three states, including every state that borders Oklahoma, has passed this type of legislation.

“We are thrilled at the passage of HB2962 in Oklahoma, because every child with autism deserves the care their doctor prescribes. This victory would not have been possible without the committed leadership of our bill sponsors and the tireless efforts of grassroots advocates,” said Judith Ursitti, director state government affairs, Autism Speaks. “We now are looking forward to educating senators on this critical legislation for families across the state.”

The efforts have attracted significant local attention from local media, including a powerful Op-Ed in the Journal Record advocating for autism insurance reform and a special report  by Tulsa’s News on 6 which followed a family meeting with lawmakers and making their voices heard on HB 2962.

---

The Autism Community Is Not The Autistic Community

---

---

Note/Warning:

Autistic people have fought the inclusion of ABA in therapy for us since before Autism Speaks, and other non-Autistic-led autism organizations, started lobbying legislation to get it covered by insurances and Medicaid. 

ABA is a myth originally sold to parents that it would keep their Autistic child out of an institution. Today, parents are told that with early intervention therapy their child will either be less Autistic or no longer Autistic by elementary school, and can be mainstreamed in typical education classes. ABA is very expensive to pay out of pocket. Essentially, Autism Speaks has justified the big price tag up front will offset the overall burden on resources for an Autistic’s lifetime. The recommendation for this therapy is 40 hours a week for children and toddlers.

The original study that showed the success rate of ABA to be at 50% has never been replicated. In fact, the study of ABA by United States Department of Defense was denounced as a failure. Not just once, but multiple times. Simply stated: ABA doesn’t work. In study after repeated study: ABA (conversion therapy) doesn’t work. 

What more recent studies do show: Autistics who experienced ABA therapy are at high risk to develop PTSD and other lifelong trauma-related conditions. Historically, the autism organizations promoting ABA as a cure or solution have silenced Autistic advocates’ opposition. ABA is also known as gay conversion therapy.

---

---

[Note: Autism is NOT a disease, but a neurodevelopmental difference and disability.]

---

Fact: Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism.

---