The Autism news headlines shown above are provided courtesy of Medical News Today and are subject to the terms and conditions stated on the Medical News Today website.

Autism News from Medical News Today

Legislative Platform 2008

1. ASF strongly opposes any proposal that moves APD and the waiver services into an HMO (managed care program), including people on the wait list. The purpose of Medicaid waivers is to assist individuals with DD to be able to live, work and take part in their community.

HMOs are in business to make money and their primary focus will be to reduce costs to improve their profits. In addition, their experience is with illness and not providing ongoing, necessary services individuals with DD need. People with DD have life-long needs for supports and services that will maximize their abilities to function in the community.

2. ASF strongly supports the expansion of the CDC+. Consumers on CDC+ have control over who is entrusted to help them care for their developmentally disabled loved ones, and who has access to their homes. Consumers have the option to save monthly amounts from their plans for large expenditures such as summer camp activities, modifications to their home or augmentative devices. They manage their own cost plan, with the help of a support coordinator, and are very efficient and often frugal with their expenditures.

After mismanagement by third party fiscal agents, APD has taken control of the CDC+ Waiver and brought the payroll for CDC+ recipients in house. Not only are they saving on large costly contracts, it appears to have resolved any problems related to the fiscal agent.

3. ASF strongly opposes any proposal that moves APD under AHCA or another similar agency. History shows us that this population cannot be served appropriately under an agency that has too broad a focus. The Governor created APD as a stand-alone agency to meet specific goals and enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Floridians with DD have life long, complex needs, which require an agency to focus on the individual, family and circle of supports. This complex population must be their only focus. To undo this important move forward would be devastating to our families and the individuals that APD serves.

AHCA funds services which follow a medical model and persons with DD require a human services model that addresses the individuals' abilities to be a contributing force in the community to live, work, and realize their potential.

There have been many accomplishments that APD can continue to build on. We believe they will meet their fiscal responsibilities given the opportunity. The legislature should allow APD ample time to correct past mistakes. People with disabilities are people first. The legislature should not undo the progress made because of impatience. It is the responsibility of the legislature to be very cautious in making quick decisions that will affect the lives of thousands of the states' most vulnerable constituents.

4. ASF strongly supports the full funding of the Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD Centers). There are now over 13,000 individuals on the CARD registry. We thank the legislature for past increases to help sustain this growth. Unfortunately, the numbers continue to grow faster than the funding. We understand that it may be difficult to provide an increase in this economy. ASF requests at the very least, the legislature hold the CARD Center funding harmless from cuts.

5. ASF strongly supports health insurance for Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is a known fact that we are in an epidemic. Autism affects 1 in 150 individuals. Many families have no health insurance coverage for their children with autism. Why is this? The legislature has refused to mandate it. If a child has juvenile diabetes, they have coverage. Why not a child with autism? If the state of Florida truly wants to limit costs to taxpayers, then pass HB1291 and SB2654. The impact on policy holders will be far less than the "ongoing" impact that no insurance will have on the taxpayers of this state. Are insurance companies to be trusted when they state that people will not be able to afford coverage if this legislation passes? No. There are several other states that have passed autism insurance coverage without negative effects. It is proven that early intervention and treatment can limit the amount of medical needs that these children have later in life. Make the insurance companies provide coverage and it will save the state millions in years to come.

6. ASF strongly opposes the "new" tier system recently approved by the federal government for the Medicaid Waiver program for the DD population. As currently designed, there will be thousands of individuals that will be devastated by this action. Comments by the legislature to "wait and see how the savings materialize" don't account for the potential service cuts of 35% or more. Many individuals cost plans that are now at $85,000 will be cut to $55,000. How do you expect providers to take a cut like this and not impact the quality of life of the people they serve? Could you take a pay cut of 35% and not impact your quality of life? Please don't let the most vulnerable members of society be the scapegoats for mismanagement of the past.