EDMOND — To the Editor:
As the parents who have been at the forefront in trying to obtain health-care coverage for the 6,500-plus children in our state with autism and who helped write Nick’s Law, we would like to set the record straight on this legislation.
Autism is a medical condition. It not only affects the child’s ability to speak, socialize and process information, but also in many children, severe gastrointestinal issues, the central nervous system and the immune system are compromised.
Autism’s symptoms can be very mild to very severe. Autism is treatable, and with treatment, many children can lose the autism diagnosis.
The Centers for Disease Control has reported that 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism.
The CDC has reported autism is more prevalent than all pediatric cancers, diabetes and AIDS, combined. In Oklahoma we lose a child a day to autism (450-500 year).
Nick’s Law requires private insurance companies to cover medically necessary and clinically proven medical treatments for children who have been diagnosed with autism by a licensed health-care professional.
Self-insured and federal employers are not required to abide by Nick’s Law. Small business owners may choose to opt out of coverage under Nick’s Law.
The most effective therapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, has been endorsed by the American Association of Pediatrics, Surgeon General, National Science Foundation and the Department of Education. ABA is a covered therapy under Nick’s Law.
Nick’s Law has a yearly cap of $36,000. The earlier a child receives treatment, the less therapy the child will require as symptoms lessen and in many cases, eventually disappear.
Less than 10 percent of the children covered will use the yearly maximum. There is no lifetime cap.
Oklahomans have been told Nick’s Law will raise insurance premiums. This simply isn’t true and is a myth that is perpetrated by our opponents and the insurance lobby.
More than 23 cost/benefit studies have been performed on the cost to policy holders for autism insurance coverage.
Oklahoma had three cost/benefit studies prepared. One study was paid for by Oklahoma Republican House leadership. One study was paid for by the state’s insurance provider and one was prepared by an individual whose methodology has been published in the Journal of Autism & Developmental Disabilities and used by several states that have passed autism insurance legislation.
All of the 23-plus studies with the exception of the one paid for by Oklahoma Republican leadership concludes the cost to the individual policy holder to be less than 1 percent, including the two prepared specifically for Oklahoma.
Nick’s Law will reduce the burden of the educational system to provide medical therapies to children, bring providers to the state, increase competition among providers and prevent taxpayers from shouldering the burden to care for these children.
Without Nick’s Law these children will end up wards of the state with the Oklahoma taxpayer footing the bill.
Now that you know about Nick’s Law, call your representatives and senators and tell them what you think is best for Oklahoma.
Wayne and Robyne Rohde
Edmond
Letters to the Editor
Nick’s Law parents set record straight
- Letters to the Editor
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- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
- LETTER: Supporter says Duncan works 'with all her might'
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LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan caring, interactive
To the Editor:
In my 43-year career as a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma I wrote many a letter of recommendation for deserving students for jobs, graduate and professional schools and scholarships. Those letters are read by busy people who have important decisions to contemplate and my belief is they ought to be brief and on point. This is such a letter. -
LETTER: Supporter applauds Duncan’s persistent dedication
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter to support and endorse the re-election of Kathleen Duncan to the Edmond Board of Education next Tuesday. I’ve been an Edmond resident for the past 20 years, and because I don’t live in District 2, I cannot cast my vote for Duncan, but I do pay a considerable amount in taxes to the Edmond Public School District. -
LETTER: Duncan lends watchful eye to school district
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan serves tirelessly in her capacity as an Edmond Board of Education member. A former teacher, school counselor and Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney, she has the time to go into our schools and hear the needs of teachers, students and staff. When she hears of needs, she has the time and experience to share those issues with the appropriate administrators for investigation and resolution. - More Letters to the Editor Headlines
