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AutismLink, Autism Center of Pittsburgh Denounce Senate Autism Bill

"This bill was carefully crafted to end insurance discrimination of children with autism inPennsylvania," said Cindy Waeltermann, President of AutismLink and parent of two children with autism. "Those who carefully crafted the bill understand the system inPennsylvania. Although the bill has been endorsed by Autism Speaks,Pennsylvania families of children with autism by and large reject the bill."

"Make no mistake," said AutismLink Executive Director and parent of a child with autism, Rick Bryant, "The Autism Speaks team working on this bill is comprised of individuals fromNew York,California andMaryland and they are completely ignoring the advice and information given to them from Pennsylvania advocates and/or clinicians."

Speaker O'Brien agrees, "The current version of HB 1150 may look like it gives coverage to families affected by autism, but it's an illusion. This version will actually hurt some families who have kids with autism," said House Speaker Dennis M. O'Brien. "We must have assurances in HB 1150 that any standard used by the insurance companies is consistent with the minimum standard used by Medical Assistance. Otherwise, families who receive certain services under Medical Assistance are at risk of having those services denied by private insurance. This risk is unacceptable."

Lenore Wossidlo, a parent of a severely challenged child with autism in Pittsburgh agrees, "I am appalled at what Autism Speaks did to SB1150 to spoil it for these kids who can do so much when given the services they need. I stand behind the hard work of Speaker O'Brien."

ABOUT AUTISMLINK - Established in 1999, AutismLink isPennsylvania's largest autism information and education network. To learn more about AutismLink, visit www.autismlink.com

http://www.autismcenterofpittsburgh.com

SOURCE AutismLink