ATTN Autism Advocate: We Need Your Help Right Now to Ensure Congress Ends Autism Insurance Discrimination - The next Few Hours Are Critical

09/24/09   Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen.  Dear Autism Advocate, After a short August recess, Autism Votes is back and we need your help RIGHT NOW to ensure Congress ends autism insurance discrimination!  In a few hours, the Senate Finance Committee will vote on an amendment to the Committee's version of the health care reform bill (the America's Healthy Future Act of 2009) introduced by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) specifying that the basic benefits package must provide coverage of behavioral health treatments. If passed, this amendment will be a major step forward towards ending autism insurance discrimination from coast to coast. The good news is the Chair of the Committee, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) supports this amendment!  We need your help RIGHT NOW to ensure that the members of the Senate Finance Committee support Sen. Menendez's amendment and make sure that individuals with autism do not fall through the cracks during this great debate over health care. Bottom line: any health care reform bill that does not end autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable!     Here is How YOU Can Help: 1. SENATOR BAUCUS, CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE SUPPORTS THE AMENDMENT! CALL SENATOR BAUCUS AND THANK HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT.  Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) (Chairman) - (202) 224-4515 2.  CALL THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE LISTED BELOW AND TELL THEM TO SUPPORT THE MENENDEZ AMENDMENT FOR INCLUSION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENTS! Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV - (202) 224-6472 Sen. Jeff Bingaman - (202) 224-5521 Sen. John Kerry - (202) 224-2742 Sen. Ron Wyden - (202) 224-5244 Sen. Charles Schumer - (202) 224-6542 Sen. Debbie Stabenow - (202) 224-4822 Sen. Maria Cantwell  (202) 244-3441 Sen. Bill Nelson - (202) 244-5274 Sen. Thomas Carper - (202) 224-2441 Not sure of what to say? Say this: "Hi, my name is __________ and I live in (City, State). I would like to let Senator (name) know that I believe that any healthcare reform bill that does not end autism insurance discrimination is unacceptable and that I would like him/her to support the amendment put forth by Senator Menendez that seeks to end autism insurance discrimination. Thank you so much." 2. FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT CAN HELP MAKE THESE PHONE CALLS. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, therapists, teachers, coworkers and neighbors - anyone who has ever said that they wished there was something they could do to help your child with autism. They can do this. They can help you end autism insurance discrimination so that you can get your child the therapy and treatment that they need. Working together we can effectively end autism insurance discrimination for all the children from coast to coast!  For more information, visit our website at www.autismvotes.org. Sincerely, Shelley Hendrix Director of State Advocacy Relations, Government Relations Autism Speaks Take Action Today > DONATE NOW to Autism Votes > Was this email forwarded to you from a friend?  Sign up to receive urgent email alerts from Autism Votes > Visit our website at www.AutismVotes.org > CONNECT with Autism Votes: Autism Votes is an initiative of Autism Speaks

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