Center for Autism and Related Disorders Gives Support to Arizona Families as Lawmakers Today Consider the Repeal of Groundbreaking Stephen’s Law
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders has announced it will put its support behind the families in Arizona who will be deeply affected by the removal of Stephen’s Law, the autism insurance reform initiative that mandates insurance companies cover the behavioral treatment of autism in the state of Arizona.
PHOENIX, AZ, April 14, 2011 —- The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) today announced its full support behind the Arizona families who will be affected if Arizona lawmakers choose to repeal Stephen’s Law. Stephen’s Law, passed in 2008, mandates that insurance companies cover behavioral treatments of autism. This Thursday, lawmakers are voting on Senate Bill (SB)1593, which would recall all mandates in the state of Arizona. CARD® is joining with families across the state in encouraging Governor Jan Brewer to veto the Senate bill.
“This comes as a great shock to our families,” says CARD® executive director Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh. “This is truly an unfortunate situation for the children and their families. We know, for a fact, that intense behavioral therapy makes a significant difference in the lives of children with autism,” adds Dr. Granpeesheh, who in November 2010 held a press conference with Arizona lawmakers on the findings of CARD’s Arizona study which showed that 43 percent of the children in the study recovered from autism with intensive, behavioral therapy.
When Stephen’s Law was passed in 2008, Arizona became the leader in autism insurance reform. Since then, 24 other states have followed the path to making it possible for families with children with autism to receive quality and effective autism treatment, thus putting them on the road to reaching their full potential.
If passed, SB 1593 will allow corporations to purchase health insurance over state lines. In addition, insurers would no longer be required to provide autism treatments as part of their health coverage as well as other provisions like screening newborns, immediate coverage of newborns, mental health coverage, and more. According to the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the lives of all affected by autism, there are currently more than 200 autism families in Arizona who are receiving ABA services through their insurance plans.
About the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD):
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders is among the world’s largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism and related disorders. CARD® operates 20 satellite offices throughout the United States and abroad and has treated tens of thousands of children around the world. CARD® is committed to scientific research as the most objective and reliable approach to evaluating treatment for autism. Our mission is to conduct empirical research on the assessment and treatment of autism and to disseminate our research findings and derived technology through publication and education of professionals and the public. For more information about CARD, visit www.centerforautism.com.